Are Australian Children Becoming Poor White Trash?

[icyfroth]

POOR kids with English-speaking parents are being left behind at school as Asian students surge ahead, former Labor leader Mark Latham argues in a controversial new article.

That makes a decades-old slur by a foreign leader that Australians will be the "poor, white trash of Asia" even more relevant today, the ex-Labor leader writes in this month's Quarterly Essay.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/are-aussie-kids-becoming-poor-white-trash/story-fnet08ui-...

Education researcher Kevin Donnelly says children with Asian backgrounds tend to do better in Year 12 results and in selective school tests.

"There is this Confucian ethic in terms of education which is very much about respecting authority, a willingness to work hard and focus and concentrate," Dr Donnelly told news.com.au.

Jane Caro, author of What Makes A Good School, says the issue with modern parenting is that many parents have a problem with teachers imposing discipline. "The workforce is walking away from those kids in droves," she said.

I often feel that our kids go to school socially, or to be baby-sat, rather than academically.

[**meep**]

"There is this Confucian ethic in terms of education which is very much about respecting authority, a willingness to work hard and focus and concentrate,"

Yes, as opposed to "working to the best of their ability".  😐   

the issue with modern parenting is that many parents have a problem with teachers imposing discipline.

I have seen that on too many occasions. 

Bring back the cane!!!

[debra9275]

From what I've seen, the Asian kids are more prepared to grab opportunities and work harder than our kids.

[icyfroth]

Bring back the cane!!!

:^O you radical, you!

[icyfroth]

Yes they have it instilled in them from early childhood to strive for excellence, Deb.

Free education is something we "old" aussies have learned to take for granted.

[cherry*135]

From what I've seen, the Asian kids are more prepared to grab opportunities and work harder than our kids.

I agree. They and their parents have a better attitude to study and work.

I guess that comes from originating from countries in Asia where if from a very young age, if you don't do well educationally your future is very dim.

[**meep**]

:^O you radical, you!

LOL

Seriously though, teachers' authority needs be restored.

[**meep**]

I agree. They and their parents have a better attitude to study and work.

I guess that comes from originating from countries in Asia where if from a very young age, if you don't do well educationally your future is very dim.

That was how I was brought up as well. 

[lakeland27]

 prolonged exposure to australian living tends to level out the rate of attrition, to the point all people irrespective of background or ethnic origin have an equal chance of messing up and they do. it may take a generation or two, but the chances of messing up , 'failing' (for want of a proper description) are  not racially specific.  appearances can be deceiving.

[donnashuggy]

It's pretty rare to drive past Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High and see white faces. Just as it is rare to see white faces in Cabramatta dealing hard drugs.