How come people under 40 seem to not know much about american history /And also why dont they think is importa

Question

important?

Answer 1

Because they were that child left behind.

Answer 2

History is taught by sorry-performing coaches usually.

Answer 3

I was fortunate...I had teachers at the time who encouraged my apathy towards the education system and actually helped me learn that which I wanted to.  I imagine that most of those I went to school with were pushed towards math and science as being the most important classes to be in, as they were offered as sequence courses, but history and English (my favorite subjects along with geography and music, the last being my sequence) were not.  I gladly sacrificed my grades and class rankings to follow my muses, as stated above, and some teachers I had lent me books and taught me things outside the curriculum that were of my interests and abilities.

I think some of it is that there are many memories of the USA in its infancy that many deem too painful to have to deal with and that there really is no child sensitive way to teach.  Because of that, we devalue it to the point of ignorance.

Answer 4

GWB said: everything changed after 911.

He was stating a fact. Nothing that happened before he stole "moral authority" in the USA counts. If you invented anything, too bad. If you had money, it's "morally his" because he needs it to defend the land, the holmsland, from people who "just don't get it" that it's a Conserfative's right to distribute d ope via the federal government and to give part of that to the Saudi Arabians in Al Qaida, "our" conserfative's money laundering service. Because, after all, El Salvidor needs it. (And there is some question that El Salvidor might be the only Government GWB actually went to WAR for in that he might have flown in the "Soccer War", and thus have sworn an oath to that foreign government 'first'.)

Answer 5

Because Americans prefer cultural icons like Hannah Montana and A Rod more than they like learning about the history of our nation. To blame the teachers is weak. Teachers are asked to a lot for a little. Add to that programs like No Child Left Behind and subjects such as history, geography, art and music get put on the back burner because the standardized tests focus on reading, writing, math and science.

Answer 6

This is in only a half truth. Yes many persons under 40 have limited knowledge of American history but that is at the base level. The issue is the American Education system that puts so much stress on math and sciences but fail to regcognize the crucial impotance of history in a informed citizen's life. On the Advanced and Honors level however, the history programs are revolutionizing, teaching history from multiple perspectives. At the AP level students now learn more than just the facts and learn to interpret history for themselves and draw their own conclusions, from study of primary sources, documents, and all sorts of sources not previously used as often in the classroom. Why it is not valued is a result of what is stressed by parents and administrators, many well over 40. Many parents do not value history in their lives like they do other subjects so thus neither do their children

Answer 7

Many people immediately point their fingers on the education system.  This shows the inherent problem that people nowadays think that the government is responsible of what we know.  People are starting to not understand what it means to pursue their own goals and knowledge.  One must remember that Einstein didn't have his wits because his school taught him everything he knew.  Knowledge must originate from one's desire to learn.

Which leads to the answer.  The norm of the american culture is work 9-5, and during that time, think about what to buy and what to do in the evening.  Think about the past-times that will be spent on weekends.  Watch an episode of Friends or Seinfeld and you can get an understanding of what an average day in the life of an North American.  So why learn history?  We are happy without knowing.

History is important because it teaches the society to avoid pitfalls that has happened in the past.  Because most of us are happy, we don't see the problems that exist and future problems that may come.  This is what we need to get the population to understand.  That everyone has a social responsibility, and highlight the social problems that exist.

The media is failing drastically in that respect and so is the education system or perhaps just the whole culture is heading for doom.

Answer 8

They need to increase the amount taught in school. I had a great teacher, wish I had him again. He opened my mind and made me see things and plenty of adults have never seen. He could've been a college professor, but chose to be a high school teacher. I give him plenty of respect.

Answer 9

Its no longer taught in schools, just like geography.  People have no clue most of the time what the other 49 states are.  I remember having to memorize the states and capitals in school, and also not only having Idaho History in school but also studying the US history throughout school, and I'm only 26.  So it all depends on where kids go to school I guess.  

I think its very important, and I think it should be taught in schools over PE, and sports.

Answer 10

Ask the Teachers union

Answer 11

Because we don't teach it well in school and their parents aren't teaching it either.

Answer 12

It's always been a common affliction associated with youth. Experience generally teaches you to pay attention to history. It's one of the iterations of Will Rogers' observation: "There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

Answer 13

I, for one, am under 40 and know a great deal about history (I listen to audio books on my iPod - am I a big enough geek?).

Unfortunately, as greater emphasis is placed on math & sciences, History seems to be losing out.  These two subjects are touted as the keys to future success, and rightly so.  But I agree we need to find a balance.

Be sure - my kids WILL know their history!

Answer 14

Unfortunately, our generation spoiled our children and therefore, our children never learned the importance of history/education. They don't think it's important because they can't win any video games if they are actually studying how America was formed.

I truly hated History class in high school but I thrive on learning as much as I can now. National Geographic and the History Channel make learning interesting. I wish those channels were around when I was in high school.

Answer 15

Because most  of them went to government schools.

Answer 16

I didn't learn much history in school because frankly, I was really bad at it.  I excelled in math and science, not the humanities.

But, now that I'm in my 30s, I'm at least trying to learn more about history.

Answer 17

Speak for yourself. I know much more about American history then many OVER 40. And know it's significance.

Most people as a general rule don't think that history is important or interesting. Including those over 40.

Answer 18

the liberal school system.