Analyzing The School/Work Relationship
Well, it's Sunday and life is pretty good. I got the job at blockbuster and I really like it so far. The co-workers are nice. And I've found something out about co-workers in general. It's a weird relationship. When you get in there and the manager introduces you the other workers, they are really friendly. They make you feel at home they talk to you like they've known you for years, not seconds. It's like there is no chance for immediate hatred between us. I think the co-workers slogan is, "Nice, until proven mean." Everyone automatically assumes your a nice person and a friend.
Now, my question is, why isn't it the same way in school? There is not too much fundamental difference between the two. Students could be considered co-workers. Class and homework would be work. Your teachers would be the assistant managers, and your principal would be the store manager. Almost the same dynamic. If your the new kid, the teacher introduces you to the other students (co-workers). Some times though the response of the kids is not one of friendship, but jealousy and hatred. And it doesn't have to be for any specific reason.
Why is this? Is it because there are more students than co-workers? I suppose you couldn't get a chance to meet and talk to everyone on the first day of school. Assumptions could be made and you wouldn't get a chance to explain yourself. But I met and talked to all of my co-workers that were there on the first day. I'm still meeting more, but that's because we don't all work at one time, like school.
Could it be because of age? I started a new school when I entered the first grade. It was awkward to say the least. My family had just moved from Germany, where I was born. I had glasses and naturally didn't know anyone. Most of the kids there knew each other from kindergarten or because they were from the same neighborhood. Kids are immature and quick to judge people. I'm not saying all of their judgments are bad, but they are quick to judge whether the like someone or not. So starting out I wasn't very popular. I took me until the the middle of sixth grade to finally starting getting accepted by my peers. Six years is a long time to really get to know someone, and they really didn't know me up until then. Obviously the co-workers at Blockbuster are more mature and at least 18, most are older though. Since we've all had a go around the world for some time we could talk and relate to each other more easily. Hm...
Maybe it's because of time. You will be in school a lot longer than you will keep most jobs. But I'm not sure how that would affect things.
It could be for the fact that usually you don't have a pre-existing relationship with anyone. Everyone's new. Therefore there aren't any "clicks" to fall into or against. A uniform also helps this. But wait. I went to a catholic school and wore a uniform every day. And I wasn't the only new kid to ever come into that class. We had 2 or 3 new kids every grade. But it seems that they fit in more easily than I did. Then, could that be it? Is it because I didn't know where I belonged? I didn't know who I was? I didn't know what most other people were like? Is it because I hadn't developed a good sense of character and couldn't really know them? Maybe it isn't our fault then. Maybe it's just nature's way. Think about it. No one really knows who they are when they start school. School helps you find out who you are and prepares who for life-after school, i.e. work, family. You need to know who you are once you start raising a family and working to support them. Or maybe you don't. These things can, no sorry, will help shape you. You can get a good sense of who your are during your life, but I don't think you will ever really know until the end.
I'm not sure what my point was when I started to write this. Oh well. Let me know what your opinions are. Do you agree/disagree? Comment!