Abstract
The present article scrutinizes “the unique American vision of childhood” (UAVC) as a phenomenon undermining high academic expectations and good work ethics, and in turn, contributing to the generally low academic achievement of U.S. students compared to their counterparts in other advanced countries. It starts with a definition of UAVC, followed by a discussion of how influential it has been. The article goes on to state three reasons why UAVC is troublesome and misleading, especially in an era of global competition. Excuses devised by the proponents for UAVC’s adverse effects are also revealed. The article ends with recommendations for future research and a conclusion elaborating on the consequences of UAVC and the likelihood that other countries might adopt a similar mentality.
Résumé
LA VISION AMÉRICAIN UNIQUE DE L’ENFANCE - L’article prÉsent scrute “la vision amÉricaine unique de l’enfance” (VAUE) comme Étant un phÉnomène minant les espÉrances universitaires ÉlevÉes et une bonne Éthique de travail, et contribuant tour à tour au niveau universitaire gÉnÉralement bas des Étudiants des États-Unis comparÉs à leurs homologues d’autres pays avançÉs. Il s’ouvre sur une dÉfinition de la VAUE, suivie d’une discussion sur son influence. L’article continue en posant trois raisons expliquant pourquoi la VAUE est gênante et trompeuse, en particulier à une Époque de compÉtition globale. On y rÉvèle Également les excuses inventÉes par les partisans pour les effets nÉphastes de la VAUE. L’article s’achève sur des recommandations pour des recherches futures, une conclusion dÉtaillant les consÉquences de la VAUE et la probabilitÉ que d’autres pays adoptent une mentalitÉ semblable.
Zusammenfassung
DIE EINZIGARTIGEIT DER AMERIKANISCHEN VISION VON DER KINDHEIT – Der Beitrag untersucht “die Einzigartigkeit der amerikanischen Vision von der Kindheit” (UAVC) als ein Phänomen, welches hochwissenschaftliche Erwartungen und eine gute Arbeitsethik untergräbt und darüberhinaus zu den generell niedrigen wissenschaftlichen Leistungen von U.S.-Studenten im Vergleich mit Studierenden anderer fortschrittlicher Länder beiträgt. Der Beitrag beginnt mit einer Definition der UAVC, gefolgt von einer Diskussion ihres bisherigen Einflusses. Der Artikel benennt drei Günde, aus denen sich die UAVC als problematisch und irreführend erwiesen hat, insbesondere in Zeiten des globalen Wettbewerbs. Darüberhinaus werden die Ausreden der Befürworter für die negativen Effekte der UAVC entlarvt. Zum Schluss gibt der Artikel Empfehlungen für die zukünftige Forschung sowie eine detaillierte Beschreibung der Konsequenzen der UAVC und der Wahrscheinlichkeit einer übernahme dieser Mentalität durch andere Länder.
Resumen
LA VISIÓN AMERICANA ÚNICA DE LA INFANCIA – El presente artículo analiza “La visiÓn americana Única de la infancia” (“the unique American vision of childhood”, UAVC) como un fenÓmeno que está socavando altas expectativas académicas y la ética del buen trabajo contribuyendo, en cambio, a un rendimiento académico generalmente bajo de los estudiantes estadounidenses frente a sus homÓlogos de otros países avanzados. Empieza con una definiciÓn de la UAVC, seguida por un debate sobre los alcances de su influencia. Más adelante, el artículo menciona tres razones por las cuales la UAVC es problemática y engañosa, particularmente en la era de la competencia global. Además, revela las excusas que esgrimen los defensores de la UAVC contra los efectos adversos de esta visiÓn Única. El artículo termina con recomendaciones en cuanto a la investigaciÓn futura y una conclusiÓn elaborada sobre las consecuencias de la UAVC y la probabilidad de que otros países puedan adoptar una mentalidad similar.
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Ozturk, M.A., Debelak, C. The Unique American Vision of Childhood. Int Rev Educ 54, 83–97 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-007-9070-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-007-9070-z