Are kids raised in the country at a disadvantage?

[jbarker855]

So, are kids raised in a rural home at a disadvantage? Will they grow up to be socially awkward as a result of the more sparse population? Are they at a handicap from an education standpoint, given the generally smaller schools they will need to attend?
In my own inexperienced view, I don't think that kids who are raised in rural communities are at a disadvantage at all. But I won't comment further at this point, as I am asking for your opinion (not mine!)
My wife and I have a 2 and a 4 year old. We live in a small town in an agricultural district. We don't have neighbors within walking distance. With her natural tendencies to worry as a mother, my wife is terribly concerned about the above posted questions. She wonders if our children will be deprived of the social interaction needed to develop into normal, well balanced, productive members of society. She has serious concerns about our children's education, given that they will be attending a small-town school.
What are your thoughts on this? Anybody here grew up in the country, but moved to the suburbs/city for their children's well-being? Or vice versa? Thanks in advance for any input.
-Jay

 

[wykubotaguy]

I attended a very rural school growing up. Imho I do not have a disadvantage in any social or job related interactions. One of my classmates is now an aid in congress and another travels the world on business.

 

[rasimmo]

I think there are advantages and disadvantages no matter where you grow up. In my area a lot of people are moving from the city to a more rural area. I don't think being socially awkward is a concern, as long as you don't keep them locked in a box with no interaction with anyone else for thier entire life. In my work we have people from all over the country and from all walks of life. We work and live together for a week at a time away from home. The ones that grew up in a rural area are "usually" more mechanically inclined and have a more methodical approach to the tasks at hand. The guys who grew up in the city are "usually" more concerned with the end result and just want to buy a new one and be done with it. Either way works out in the end, and we all get along pretty well. In my opinion if they are raised with good morals and good work ethic, where that raising occurs meens little.

I grew up in the sticks on a farm, graduated from a school with 250 people K-12. I am a little awkward, but I think we all are a little.

 

[20 20]

We also were worried about the same thing. Our schools total pop is 300, seems that the new trend for college is having kids from small schools. Some prof. say they would rather have the smaller population high schooled kids because they seem to be ready to learn instead of showing up with a chip on their shoulder?? I know our school has helped educate some very respectable members of society.

 

[LazySusanFarms]

Kids follow their parents' lead. You work hard, they work hard, etc. In terms of education, I am a big believer in that learning starts at the home. Parents involvement in the academic side of their child's life is very important. This shouldn't become a "get off the farm" objective for your kids. A rural upbringing can create work ethics and determination far beyond what a suburban school district can help support. Parents need to have high expectations for their kids, tempered with understanding, love and support. You want your kids to be learning things that you may not fully understand, such as math, science, history, etc which requires that you find ways to support your child's efforts in a way that is positive for both of you. Seek out help wherever you can for learning support. The internet is a great thing and their schoold district should have relationships with other institutions that can help.

Good luck.

 

[MikeD74T]

I grew up in the country between 3 dairy farms but just close enough to town to go to the " in town" elementary school. One of my most vivid memories from grade school is from when the district closed 5 one room school houses & bused those kids to the school in town. First day each of those kids had a toothbrush in their pocket. They stopped carrying the toothbrushes after a couple of days. Being socially awkward is not necessarily a bad thing. I prefer country ways in the city over city ways in the country. MikeD74t

 

[blueriver]

I don't think so. Social interaction can come in many forms, school, church, FFA, 4-H ... I believe the country kid will devolpe useable skills as well.

 

[rtimgray]

I don't think rural students are at a large disadvantage compared to larger schools, but there is some difference.

I went to a very small school (we only have one school in the county). Total school population K-12 was about 600, give or take. The greatest limiting factor was that in high school, there was a limited amount of upper level classes available, because we could only have so many teachers and only had so many kids that would be interested/qualify to take high level high school classes (I'm talking about Calculus, physics, advanced chemistry, etc).

When I went to college, I was at a little disadvantage simply because most of the other students in calculus and physics had already had the classes in high school, whereas I did not have that option. All it meant was that I had to work a little harder to catch up.
I know that in the meantime, my old high school now offers these classes via teleconference/internet for the kids that are interested.

Socially, I don't think it will be a big deal. As long as the kids have some kind of school, church functions, Boy scouts/girl scouts, camp, etc., there will be plenty of opportunity to adapt to that.

(grab soapbox)

I agree with the earlier comments of learning beginning at home. I feel as though I was offered and took advantage of a decent education offered by the public school system. I attended a regional state-funded college to earn my degree that enabled me to get a good job in a manufacturing industry that has, more or less, helped me to live my life as I choose and provide for my family. I know that many folks will run down our public education system and state colleges every chance they get, but I think that very often, you will get out of the system what you try to get out of it, and not use it as and excuse to not do the best you can.

(remove soapbox).

 

[forgeblast]

Kids follow their parents' lead, cant agree with this more.
I think that it all comes back to the parents values, if you value where you live, value education, value manners, there is no disadvantage. People who are comfortable within their own skins can fit in anywhere.

We choose to move to a very rural area after living in different areas. We both felt that the rural area would allow us to raise our child with less outside pressure on what it means to be a well adjusted child.

She is in preschool 5 days a week, and she knows this is her job. She knows she must try new foods(going through not wanting to eat things now), has to be polite, and work hard at her letters.
She also has gymnastics one day a week.
Shes busy, but I think that the ability to decompress, to spend time in the woods/away from others is also an important skill.
There is a book called "last child in the woods". It describes how healthy it is to be and grow up with nature.

 

[om21braz]

Considering the rise in the amount of children being home-schooled, seems many are more concerned with giving their kids a better education than provided per local schools - be that city or rural. According to a friend of mine, who sells home-school books and program material, the trend is getting even stronger. As mentioned above also, there are many other outlets for children to have social development. That said, it appears any social acceptance, etc. issues are taking a back seat to a good education.