Mandylion
Mar 16, 2004, 11:02
Graduation is upon those of us in the education racket over here. The J-Pop Mafia is turning out the usual sad ballads about loss, separation anxiety and nostalgic longing. Graduation ceremonies, just a step above funerals in their joyous outpourings of emotion, have or will be taking place shortly for all appropriate school levels.
Since I have so little to do this time of year I can spend uninterrupted hours thinking back to my various graduations and doing a little comparing.
While no graduation ceremony is without some degrees of nostalgia and excitement for the future, Japan really seems to like the sadder elements of these ceremonies.
When I went to my graduation ceremonies in the US it was a festive atmosphere celebrating accomplishments and, in some cases, that we would never have to go back there again. :D There was cheering and clapping and a general rowdiness. You met with your friends after and had huge parties. It is one of the few times you can openly bask in your own achievements surrounded by people doing the same and not begrudging you own ego-inflating trip.
By contrast, the junior high ceremony I went to yesterday was a very solemn affair (as have high school ones I have been too - only more so). Lots of bowing, as expected, but also lots of tears accompanied by a soundtrack of adagios and slow chamber music. No applause as each student was called up to get their certificates (only clapping when they came in and went in and out). Many, but mercifully short, speeches by stuffy old school board men, delivered in monotone and extolling the children to "keep trying," "study hard" and of course "to persevere (gambaru)."
As if young students aren't scared enough about the great big future - high schools with big kids in them or colleges far from home.
Sure, there where some happy times and smiles after all the ceremonies were over, but the whole process had just such a weight and a gravity to it that I found oppressive. They push these kids so hard to study, go to clubs on weekends, and pass entrance exams, that you think they could afford to have them let their hair down once a year! :mad: I guess it is true what they say, Japanese schools are there to teach children how to be Japanese, not necessarily to learn anything. I would put the fun level at about the same as being lectured to by government educational officials, which as anyone can tell you is on par with intensive dental work.
Sure, sure, there are all sorts of reasons why the ceremonies might be the way they are - the dissolution of a group structure in Japan is never an easy thing and these kids have been together since 1st grade (elementary). But I don't think yesterdays proceedings inspired many to go out and bootstrap their way to the top.
Isn't that kind of what graduation is supposed to be about? Lighting a fire under students and inspiring them to meet the next challenge life will throw at them rather than making it feel like they are being cast to the wolves?
Any thoughts on graduations, or education, in Japan in general?
Since I have so little to do this time of year I can spend uninterrupted hours thinking back to my various graduations and doing a little comparing.
While no graduation ceremony is without some degrees of nostalgia and excitement for the future, Japan really seems to like the sadder elements of these ceremonies.
When I went to my graduation ceremonies in the US it was a festive atmosphere celebrating accomplishments and, in some cases, that we would never have to go back there again. :D There was cheering and clapping and a general rowdiness. You met with your friends after and had huge parties. It is one of the few times you can openly bask in your own achievements surrounded by people doing the same and not begrudging you own ego-inflating trip.
By contrast, the junior high ceremony I went to yesterday was a very solemn affair (as have high school ones I have been too - only more so). Lots of bowing, as expected, but also lots of tears accompanied by a soundtrack of adagios and slow chamber music. No applause as each student was called up to get their certificates (only clapping when they came in and went in and out). Many, but mercifully short, speeches by stuffy old school board men, delivered in monotone and extolling the children to "keep trying," "study hard" and of course "to persevere (gambaru)."
As if young students aren't scared enough about the great big future - high schools with big kids in them or colleges far from home.
Sure, there where some happy times and smiles after all the ceremonies were over, but the whole process had just such a weight and a gravity to it that I found oppressive. They push these kids so hard to study, go to clubs on weekends, and pass entrance exams, that you think they could afford to have them let their hair down once a year! :mad: I guess it is true what they say, Japanese schools are there to teach children how to be Japanese, not necessarily to learn anything. I would put the fun level at about the same as being lectured to by government educational officials, which as anyone can tell you is on par with intensive dental work.
Sure, sure, there are all sorts of reasons why the ceremonies might be the way they are - the dissolution of a group structure in Japan is never an easy thing and these kids have been together since 1st grade (elementary). But I don't think yesterdays proceedings inspired many to go out and bootstrap their way to the top.
Isn't that kind of what graduation is supposed to be about? Lighting a fire under students and inspiring them to meet the next challenge life will throw at them rather than making it feel like they are being cast to the wolves?
Any thoughts on graduations, or education, in Japan in general?