Part One – Background
I know that when I get started on this, some of you will cringe, others will smirk and many will hate me. The time has come for me to bring to the table the issue of laziness in the context of education and the workplace.
Recently I asked a question on my Substack Notes page:
The responses were interesting. It got me thinking about why young people are not taking on part time jobs to support their lifestyles, especially compared to the 1990s.
So what is going on?
According to recent statistics, only 1 in 4 teenagers are actively engaged in part-time jobs!
Source: leisure jobs
Young people are less likely to engage in part time work these days for many reasons. But is there a link to schools and could we place some of the blame on laziness?
In short – probably. However, there is more to it than a simple yes.
Do Educators Promote Idleness?
A lot of older people look back at their school days with a combination of fondness and horror. Generally though, they talk about the way students used to respect their teachers. My own Nan recalls how strict her teachers were but she also seems to value the disciplined approach that taught her how to be resilient and independent.
As a teacher, I see initiatives come and go. One minute we are using traffic lights to promote good behaviour, the next we are giving out stickers and sending home certificates for being well behaved. Despite the best efforts of Headteachers and staff, the teaching unions and press recognise that bad behaviour is on the rise and disrespectful students are causing problems much more than they ever did in the past.
“I saw children trash a whole office or a whole classroom, throwing chairs and tables around,” says a teaching assistant who has now quit the profession.
Source: BBC News 2024
There has been a shift in thinking regarding education, but there has also been a change in society. Parents have altered their perspectives, often due to societal pressures, busy lifestyles and lack of experience of good parenting skills because of poor parenting when they themselves were growing up.
If a parent grew up hating school then you can bet their children will pick up on that.
I know that one of the biggest hurdles to good behaviour is home life and parenting. This requires a whole suite of articles so I will not dwell on it today.
Let me leave this here for you to think about:
Learning Happens Everywhere – Not Just In Classrooms
Of course, I am not blaming parents when I state that parenting is a contributing factor to poor behaviour BUT it is a major factor nonetheless. More to the point, if parents are not keen on their kids doing homework and do not support education at home, then children are less likely to comply in the classroom.
If children are used to going home, going to their room and playing on an iPad for the rest of the evening, why would they be interested in trying hard at school? If they are not given chores to do, taught how to value money and given good role models at home, then why should they follow boring rules and get their work done in lessons?
Oh golly, I am sounding negative here but I want to be positive. It’s tough though.
What I am saying here is that laziness stems from other things. Some might propose that parents are too helpful these days.
There you are. I said something very positive there.
Parents are helpful, caring, involved, supportive.
Brilliant!
Well maybe not.
If parents clean up after their kids, make all of their meals, pack their bags for them and drive them wherever they want to go, children are definitely more likely to be…
You guessed it!
Lazy!
The Laziness Bug
One of my friends looked shocked when I suggested that her son might benefit from having a part time job to see him through his studies.
‘But he won’t have time. I should fund him. He shouldn’t have to work.’
I changed the subject at the time but she came back to me later on.
‘I’m being too soft aren’t I? You made me think about it. Maybe it would teach him to be more organised and understand money more.’
I am paraphrasing of course. As if I could remember a staff room conversation precisely! But you get the gist, right?
Her son isn’t lazy but, like many others, his parents fund his lifestyle. Many teenagers have expensive hobbies, buy lots of things regularly and go out with their friends. All of these activities take time and cost money. I’d argue that if they have time for all of this, then they can certainly afford to spend eight hours on a Saturday working in a supermarket or four hours on a Friday evening delivering pizzas (assuming they can drive) or a few hours a week babysitting for a trusted friend or mowing lawns.
Thinking Out Loud
Hopefully you can see the conversation I am starting here. Laziness is not always something intentional but it is something brought about by circumstances and reliance. If young people see older people acting in ways that suggest inactivity is alright or if they are pandered to and spoiled, then they will likely become lazy themselves.
Hard work comes with motivation. It is the result of a desire to achieve.
I will leave you with that thought.
Next time I will be exploring attitudes to learning in the modern classroom.