OT: RIP Woodshop/Metalshop classes

[gunug]

This is an article about something I noticed 2-3 years ago in my own kids and it the scouts I work with: very few are learning to really "work" on anything.  How to change oil, how to work on things; the value of hands on sweaty work is going down:

http://www.thenewatlantis.com/archive/13/crawford.htm

He is telling about it a lot better than I could!  What do you think?

[Reiddm]

I’ve seen this coming for years, we will become a throw away society and it will just get worse, I'm glad that my father was into auto mechanics as a hobby, we had a great time doing engine swaps and making modifications to install larger engines in our old military jeep, then taking it out to the sand dunes just to play (grew up in the Palm Spring’s area during the 50’s-60’s), now I wonder if any more parents will teach their children this craft, or will it really die? I guess the good thing is they can still learn these trades from different trade school!

[D76]

I think it's true, not that it makes much difference to me. I'm great on theory, but when it comes to hands on, I might as well have been born without thumbs. I get mixed up trying to put windows back after cleaning them.

Years ago it took me 7 1/2 hours to change eight spark plugs and the points in my '74 Pontiac. When it started snowing, I had to phone a friend who put the distributor back together in 30 seconds. It would have taken him 15, but he couldn't stand up for laughing.

Used to change the oil in my various cars and motorcycles, but I won't do it now. Why bother? If I screw up and all the oil runs out, I can't sue myself and get fabulously wealthy.

[MamaMoose]

When I was first married, I couldn't afford any professional help around my apartment. (I was living on $175/month as a RA at the university) So, I learned to do all sorts of handyman projects. When we bought our first house, I did all the repairs plumbing, gas, electrical, electronics, etc. Then I decided to do some amateur cabinetmaking.

All this because of  my taking of basic shop when in jr. and sr. high school. I also hung out with a bunch of television repair guys who were also Hams (all former vets). They taught me about all facets of electronics and encouraged me to get my Ham radio license.

I just don't understand why these courses aren't taught , to both boys and girls, n our public schools as part of the curriculum. I know of many young people who have no idea hoe to fix even the simplest thing and they cannot afford a professional who will charge them $100 per hour PLUS travel time.

I know, I know I sound like an old fogy who always looks back to the "good old days" but our superior technology in the word has been due to our inventors and inventiveness.

Ironically, my profession is theoretical solid state physics!!!

MamaMoose

[gunug]

Given enough information (particularly visual schematics or drawings) I can probably fix most classes of equipment given time.  I am neither precise or craftsmanlike but I can get the job done.  My son's don't seem to have the interest except in computers.  I had them do things for me during the period of time when my hands were "broken" by neuropathy and they go pretty good at doing things and I'm encouraging them to both get certified on PC's and MAC's so they can do a little with things in whatever workplace they end up in.

[Gregg]

I'm not as "hands on" as my Dad, even though he tried to teach me skills he had learned. I do a little of my own repairs, but less than I used to. However, it was a technical drawing class in Jr. High that got me interested enough to continue through High School, then to major in architecture in College. Of course, now it's all computerized. It will be a shame if that opportunity is not available to kids to explore.

[krissel]

Thanks to my Dad, who was willing to spend many hours working with me to rennovate my newly purchased house (in 1973), I learned much about carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. Above all, he gave me the confidence to try things that many would have avoided.

In the years since I have built odd furniture, moved walls, installed windows (bay, doublehung, casement, awning), replaced flooring, vanities, new kitchen (twice), partially reroofed, painted the inside and outside completely (few times).

I also built a bump-out closet (cantilevered) where there once was a window, built a carport (now dismantled to make room for a garage), laid many feet of cement walkways, small wood deck, etc.

With the help of my Dad and brother, we removed and replaced the entire 20' back wall of an enclosed porch with 4 large windows in a day and a half. (I had each step and measurements written out beforehand.)

Also spent several years repairing and calibrating pressure gauges for my Dad's business.

Although everything was certainly not easy to do, all these things, as well as my art work (etchings, jewelry) have given me a lot of satisfaction. And while my years of teaching were rewarding in many respects, there is nothing to compare to stepping back and looking over your work and saying, "I did that".

[Reiddm]

Wow, it seems to me we all owe a great amount to our fathers, and our mothers also, what my father taught me was essential in my live as far as trades and such, my mother also taught me how to cook and sew, and do other things out side of the MECHANICAL side of life, although I must say I married a much better cook!!

So let’s hear it for our PARENTS,
thank you mom and dad, and God bless you for giving us direction in life!!

[Gregg]

Hear! Hear!