Good Day people ...
Now, I would love to know what you guy’s thoughts on this matter. Now I'm a young South Africa male who came’s from Alexandra Township. My mother is cashier at Pick n Pay, grandmother was a domestic worker and father was businessman. Attended my first malti-racial school in 1994.
Now that background is very similar to most of the young people in South Africa [maybe accept for the father being absent] ...
If one came’s from a hard background, shouldn’t that be enough motivation for them to work harder? Be better? Not be lazy? What makes us different?
Photography: Lebogang Nkoane
ideally that is what would be the thought when you come from an underpriviliged background, you want to get out so you work harder. but then the motivation to do better sometimes isn't present in some people's homes. because most of the reason why you want to better yourself is because your mom did better for you and told you that they want you to do better than they did. some people don't have that home structure so therefore don't have the motivation.
You know — I used to think that. In the 8 years I have taught — I have that sentiment crushed, yet, maintained at the same time.
I don't know what motivates a child, anymore. All I (speaking from a teacher) know is, when I find a student/learner motivated, I'll put in more than I need to.
I suppose the phrase is: God (yes, teachers are gods) only help those that help themselves.
I sense I might have digressed.
*googles
I hear you Writer Chick, but this structure that you talk about ... what is it? Arnt parents being supportive by just taking you to school? There are alot of people [yes even grown ass people] out there who feel like they are entitled to stuff ... like entitled to a corner office when its their first job etc
Soi basically theres no formular to make a kid motivated? hmmm
i think its up to the kid... do they want to grow and have a car, townhouse and always look forward to that end of the month paycheck or they want more, to leave a mark and go after what might be seen as impossible dreams (forbes list or leader in your field). it boils down to motivation and ambition.
now what i wanna know is that ... so if i dont have motivation or ambition im fucked? [please excuse my french] ... and also how do you motivate someone else?
i think having a good structure at home, parents who not only sent you to school but expect more than they managed to achieve out of you.
i mean i know a few people who were simply sent to school but were never motivated where they reside. not more than a matric was expected out of them and now some of them don't even have that matric.
i'm not saying it lies solely on the parents that raise the kids or the schools they go to, it lies in the individual as well to want more so therefore go after more.
i also think kids who were too taken care of by their parents also tend to be lazy because when they become adults, they don't have it in them to take any bull by the horns.
@Writer chick - "I also think kids who were too taken care of by their parents also tend to be lazy because when they become adults: - Amen!
How do we change this?
we motivate kids from an early age
encouraging them to dream bigger than what they're surroundings allow
especially those still living in underprivileged areas
this can be done in workshops that present to schools about the different opportunities out there, the different professions
just my 2 cents...
honestly i dont believe in this workshop this though ... ive thought about this for a minute now and i think it boils down to choice really. I call the hood Pick n Pay -- you pick your role model and you pay the price. I doesnt matter if your role model is a gangster, doctor, entrepreneur, or just a bum --- you pick and you pay. :)
yeah but that doesn't empower anyone
some people are just gonna be lazy and chalk it up to their misfortune or where they come from
so if there are workshops and the like in the hood, we can narrow down who are the bad apples
the people that actually don't want to work hard
but in doing so, we'll also single out the ones that want to work hard and fulfill their dreams
I know this will sound clichéd, but that horse and water story, it's true.
I have taught all kinds of students/learners — some are motivated from the get go, some do not ever get motivated (regardless of how many times to you beat that horse).
But, I agree with the phrase: "don't say I didn't tell you." By that I mean, #wethepeople need to do workshops, becoming good role models, even if the kids don't get any better — at the end of it all, we would have done our part.
Amen!
@Lebogang: agreed