Here is an interesting story from which we can learn valuable lessons.
In the early 1980s, GM executives visited Japan to observe Toyota's automobile production process. At the time, GM was arguably the largest manufacturer of cars in the world. Yet, they had a problem undisclosed to outsiders: the gap between the car body and doors was not uniform. That is, the gap was sometimes narrow and at other times wide, but they could not figure out what caused the inconsistency.
For your information, GM's solution was to use rubber mallets to "hammer" the gaps even. In other words, if the end of production quality inspection showed uneven gaps, the edge of the door was pounded with rubber mallets to make it look "right." If you're old enough to have driven GM vehicles in the 1970s and '80s, you now know why engine noises and vibrations intensified less than a year of purchasing a new car, AND why the doors creaked and rattled....
The Japanese cars exported to the United States at the time were much cheaper, but they did not have the same problem. Thus, the GM executives wanted to know why the difference existed. They resolved to visit Toyota plants in Japan to observe the production process and find answers.
However, GM executives found little difference between their own and Toyota's production process. The only difference was that Toyota had no employees with rubber mallets banging on doors at the end! So they asked, "Where are the employees who even out the door gaps with rubber mallets?"
Puzzled, the Toyota employee who led the team's tour replied, "No one in our company is in charge of such a task." Somewhat embarrassed, GM executives asked, "So, at what stage of production do you ensure that doors fit perfectly?" The Japanese guide, with a smile, replied, "We make sure that doors and bodies fit together when we design the car."
There are many lessons to be learned from this true story. But, I want to focus on one point by referring to a Korean proverb: "You have to insert the first button well." If you put the first button in the wrong hole, say, when putting on a shirt, everything will go wrong, and you have to undo everything and start all over. This wisdom applies not only to clothes but also to any work or project requiring processes. Without the proper first step or foundation, things can (and will) get twisted, they will go wrong.
This is obviously the case with education because it is a long project that requires processes upon processes. It is also of utmost importance compared to other types of projects or work. That's why parents everywhere want to ensure that their child is on the "correct path" and on a "solid foundation" from an early age.
Given this truth and reality, parents with children must think carefully about what their child is exposed to at school. Sadly, much of today's education wrapped under the name of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) promotes deviant lifestyles and socialist/communist ideas and practices. So, if you want to protect your child from unwarranted and irresponsible teachings that lack common sense and moral uprightness, parents, pay careful attention to what's happening at your child's school! You have the right to (and responsibility to) carefully examine what the school is teaching and, if you find objectionable content, you also have the right to seek answers from teachers and admins. As a footnote, parents should choose a school that is more consistent with their worldview and beliefs.
Leadership guru Stephen Covey said, "Start with the end in mind." Apply that wisdom to your child's education. What is the purpose of education? What kind of outcome do you want for your child? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
Every parent raising a child should have clear answers to these fundamental questions. Please, don't say, "I'm sure everything will be okay. My kid won't buy into those crazy ideas." That, I am convinced, is wishful thinking and even neglect. Such a posture can come back to haunt you down the line.
Hence, please do consider the purpose of education, desired results and outcomes, and what you want your child to learn in formative years. I beg of you to do this for the sake of your child.
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