Foreign spouse views on social class seperation

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

Have any of your spouses discussed how different social and economic classes of people are treated in their country compared to here in the US?

Edited April 17, 2008 by Gaby&Talbert

[Peikko 1,575]

No, I haven't done that.

[*JG* 2]

I don't think mine has noticed anything much yet.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

My wife has been looking at the school systems here compared to Mexico. She went to private schools and most of her family has also. Her mother worked very hard to put her and her siblings in private schools so they would have better opportunities and fewer bad influences. My wife said that different economic classes did not mix when she was in school. She said here in the US she sees poor and rich together in the schools and friends. She doesn't see the seperation here which is good.

[pedroh 21]

LOL

fewer bad influences in private schools?!?!? LOLOL

I also went to private schools.. and it's easier there to become a lazy slob than in public schools.. true.. public schools have no resources compared to the private ones.. but certainly, there's no less bad influences just because it's a bunch of rich kids..

[DeadPoolX 9]

Have any of your spouses discussed how different social and economic classes of people are treated in their country compared to here in the US?

Good timing! My wife and I were in the middle of a conversation about something like this last night.

She's from Canada (which probably explains the little Canadian flag image below my name) and I'm obviously from the United States. While our two countries are alike in many ways, they are still different in a number of others. Two very important distinctions would be how most people -- and the government overall -- views social and economic responsibility.

In the U.S., there seems to be a more hands-off approach. Even Liberal Democrats, who'd like to see more government involvement, rarely advocate a complete "nanny-state." In more socialist-leaning countries, such as Canada, the government takes a more active role in the lives of individuals and offers many services, none of which are "free" but may seem that way due to a lack of any cost upfront. How the Canadian government pays for this is with higher taxation.

This isn't to say Canada is completely socialist or even communist. There are plenty there who believe in capitalism and some provinces are stronger supporters of it than others. On average, however, most Canadians still feel it is the government's job to supply a host of services to the public, usually ranging from healthcare to open libraries.

The U.S. generally feels differently and while it might offer some services like that, it's usually to a much smaller degree. We like to make people "pay their own way" and feel that if somone needs a service, they should pay for it themselves. The general concept is: "Why should I pay for someone else's use if I'm not making use of it?"

[Kamaboko 0]

My wife has been looking at the school systems here compared to Mexico. She went to private schools and most of her family has also. Her mother worked very hard to put her and her siblings in private schools so they would have better opportunities and fewer bad influences. My wife said that different economic classes did not mix when she was in school. She said here in the US she sees poor and rich together in the schools and friends. She doesn't see the seperation here which is good.

I guess that really depends on where your beneficiary comes from, as to where I live (am from), school is not free both public and private. Public is somehow cheaper so those from low economy class will tend to go for public schools. It doesn't intentionally split up rich and poor though.

[panamania79 2]

Have any of your spouses discussed how different social and economic classes of people are treated in their country compared to here in the US?

There are plenty of bad influences in private schools in Latin America.

[panamania79 2]

LOL

fewer bad influences in private schools?!?!? LOLOL

I also went to private schools.. and it's easier there to become a lazy slob than in public schools.. true.. public schools have no resources compared to the private ones.. but certainly, there's no less bad influences just because it's a bunch of rich kids..

And it's easier there to become a bully.I remember in Pamana,there was this one kid who was related to the president and he went around beating up everybody for their money.I guess being a thief ran in the family.

Edited April 17, 2008 by panamania79

[almaty 19]

private schools in America ..have the same issues as public...the only differnece..not culturally or ethnic blended as much

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

There are good and bad in any school, public or private but I get the impression that in Mexico at least there is more of a distinct seperation based on discussions with my wife. My wife has 2 nieces that went to private school and the level of education is higher in the private schools over the government schools.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

private schools in America ..have the same issues as public...the only differnece..not culturally or ethnic blended as much

Do you think discipline and values may be a little better in private schools?

[almaty 19]

private schools in America ..have the same issues as public...the only differnece..not culturally or ethnic blended as much

Do you think discipline and values may be a little better in private schools?

i think discipline is more prevalent and peer controls to conform is more adhered too.....vlaues are taught, but behavior is the proof in the pudding..

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

LOL

fewer bad influences in private schools?!?!? LOLOL

I also went to private schools.. and it's easier there to become a lazy slob than in public schools.. true.. public schools have no resources compared to the private ones.. but certainly, there's no less bad influences just because it's a bunch of rich kids..

My wife wasn't rich, her mother just wanted them to have the best opportunity she could give them. She is 37 and is still friends with several of them. They email and call all the time. She is pretty picky about who she wants to be friends with and it has to do with their character I have noticed. If they don't have values she won't pursue the friendship but if they are a good person, reguardless of how much money they have she will be friends with them.

[Heracles 417]

private schools in America ..have the same issues as public...the only differnece..not culturally or ethnic blended as much

Interesting you mention that. There is a growing problem with "white flight" in Australian schools. Where Anglo-Australians are sending their kids to private schools to avoid the tossed salad of public schools..

I think the place where I noticed the biggest class differences was India.