New York Times on Ireland again
The New York Times had another piece on Ireland yesterday. The Irish, Young in ‘Old Europe,’ Strain Schools and Housing
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While many countries in Europe grapple with the difficulties associated with aging populations, Ireland and a few others face the opposite problems — and advantages — from an excess of youth.
Crowded schools, a labor crisis in child care and strained infrastructure in new commuter areas like Laytown are among the burdens faced by Ireland and other European countries at the young end of the age range.
Previously. (via.)
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Yay, Lara Croft in Ireland!
Feshti's back and this time he's counting down the top 10 movie opening scenes of all time.
Is American opinion and culture crowding out all others?
What nonsense. The average age of the Irish citizen may be lower than that of most other countries, but it’s still much, much higher than it was in the past.
Comment by Dano — January 27, 2007 @ 5:17 am
the yanks are going to lap up sentences like:
“When the school year began, pupils sat in a series of temporary buildings, some without electricity.”
oh there still in shacks you know, and they don’t know what electric be!
Comment by lorcy — January 27, 2007 @ 6:03 am
The americans have a point though, whether you like to admit it or not.
Comment by slutmonkey57b — January 28, 2007 @ 4:09 am
We have a strong hedge school tradition, but ecologically hip straw bale classrooms should be considered by school managers instead of those sultry humid prefabs. There’s an idea for the Greens election manifesto.
Comment by Confucius — January 28, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
home parental schooling should be encouraged more. less pressure on social infrastructure, less labor crisis in childcare, and , of course, less full schools. and no, it doesnt mean social deficiency or any of that nonsense. I have taught in many schools, and have over the past year been lucky enough to teach a few pupils who are primarily home-educated. they really are way beyond the norm, particularly with regards to their overall maturity and balanced attitude. and it makes you wonder about the validity of those massive machinised social processing units, also known as SCHOOLS….this is only one perspective, and I certainly dont claim to know which is best for the greater good…
Comment by krynn — January 28, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
Homeschooled kids may be more mature than the schooled-out feral ones because their parents are really interested in them and encourage emotional and intellectual development, krynn. Some people in Clare during the 1980s set up a homeschooling network. I wonder how they got on? The current ‘drivetime’ generation of two-income households don’t have leeway for homeschooling, and are dumping the preschool tots into expensive child care centres. We know from the experiences of other European countries what ‘latchkey’ kids can grow up into.
Comment by Confucius — January 29, 2007 @ 11:55 am
what do they grow into? and do u think drive-time is essentially a misnomer? suburban/city economies have there pros and cons. it intrigues me…how do u socially raise children in suburban lego?
Comment by krynn — January 31, 2007 @ 1:41 pm