<p>Are you suggesting that "there is not a lot of difference" between a wealthy Wall Street family kid from Darien and a kid from a public middle school in Compton? Huh?</p>
<p>Toadstool, from my experience in BD int he early 70's, there was a kid I went to school with from Harlem. He became a good pal. Father died from gunfire, mother worked her ass off for low wages, he was brought to the school by some church, or perhaps the Boys Club. FA was a lifesaver for him, and as it turns out it enriched my socio/economic/racial/academic experience at the school.
I agree with you that the % of the FA students in schools can probably drop quite a bit without a significant effect/affect on the "total social-educational experience for all".</p>
<p>pan....my son's roommate is the wealthy kid from Darien....my son is the public middle school kid on big fa. No...you can't tell the difference. The roomie does not dress in expensive clothing and is not drowning in material goods. He is a very down to earth kid. They get along very well. Some of my older son's best friends are also drowning in dollars. He has been to homes where there were doormen and live-in help. Likewise he has friends from abject poverty. All members of the same social circle at school where they are all just normal teens.</p>
<p>I am not talking about dressing in expensive or inexpensive clothes. It has nothing to do with "getting along very well" or "being normal teens." I am referring to the indisputable fact that the kid from Darien and the kid from Compton bring vastly different life experiences to the school. And that is precisely why you all talk about the importance of diversity. It is precisely because of their different histories, cultures, perspectives and experiences that life at the school is rich. If they were not different, why would any of you even talk about diversity and its importance in secondary school?</p>
<p>^I agree with pan here. Even though we are all teens, and so forth, what we bring to the dining table is vastly different. I cannot begin to imagine the life of a student from Harlem, even though he will be a teen just like me. Of course "diversity" is passive, we will all be teenagers. We will all get along. Etcetera.</p>
<p>I think Pan's point is, people cannot begin to imagine what experiences people have gone through (and that, according to Tabula Rasa, is what makes us so different. We learn from our experiences and our experiences shape us), and hence that passive diversity.</p>
<p>And however much I hate to burst your bubble, I highly doubt every wealthy kid will be wearing "normal" clothes. In the midst of all this diversity we will see material differences. In schools in which the student supplies the computer, you will see a difference. I am sure if you go to the airport with a group of people, you will see one get on coach, the other on business. Such material differences may not change the personality of the person but that, in itself, adds to the diversity.</p>
<p>As usual, PV, you have your finger on the pulse! Of course, all teens like music and pop culture, etc. But who can possible suggest that a teen from Compton is like one from Darien?????</p>
<p>I actually do not know either of the cities, but I can guess where you are coming from.</p>
<p>I agree with you, Pan. I thought you were implying a negative connotation. Diversity yes, divisivness, no.</p>
<p>PV, Compton is a poor african-american inner city LA community and Darien is all rich white Wall Street types.</p>
<p>Ahh, I assumed so! I think city differences play a big role too. Even if you are a big fish in a small pond, or vice versa. Like I said, your experiences shape you, and your experience (even if you're rich) in a poor inner city area will be a lot different from if you were the same in, say Darien.</p>
<p>Balderdash! -- there are number of rich white lawyers, accountants and doctors in Darien.</p>
<p>Exactly my point. Professional and high earning and by and large white.</p>
<p>oy............</p>
<p>lol........</p>
<p>I profoundly disagree with the above..............................</p>
<p>I profoundly disagree with the above..............................</p>
<p>Disagree with which of the dozens of comments above?????</p>
<h1>334-#336 10char</h1>
<p>Pan I don't think you are doing anything but preaching to the choir. We all agree that the BS experience would not be what it could be if it was only homogeneous children.
I would probably like to differ with you in what percentage of kids (children of Professional and high earning and by and large white)are admitted FA, and it would be enjoyable to get the input of the FP parents, who after all are making it all possible.
Considering current economics, what percentage would you say Pan?</p>