Do you realize what you just said?

 

Retard:

1. adjective- characterized by retardation: a retarded child

2. noun- (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively 

Okay, so one of the current things (and frankly an old thing) that has been bugging me is words being used incorrectly. I know you may have heard or even said something along the lines of: "I dont want to do that, that's retarded!" In that cotext the words is being used to describe something being not worth your time/ dumb. This is very offensive in this context but even more so when you call a person retarted when they do not have a mental retardation, and you really just mean they are being dumb. I mean it's so much nicer to just call something or someone dumb, as bad as that sounds. It's be coming a very bad habit, and was even a bad habbit of mine at one point.

Gay:
1. adjective- happily excited
2. adjective- homosexual

Also another one that is very offensive. Which is also used in the same context as "retarded". For example "Dude, that is so gay!" or "You're so gay." Again, with the point you are trying to get across you might as well replace "gay" with "dumb". Especially since that is what you mean anyway. I actually find this one kinda funny because the two actual deffenitons are sooooo completely far from the way the word is used derogitorily. I think it's obvious as well though, as to how this is offensive. You are I mean what if we started saying "100 question test? That's so straight!" or "That's so Blonde!" or "That's so Mexican!" You are just taking an adjective that shouldn't be used offensivly to begin with, and use them as an insult. It's really redicioulous and offensive.

Thats gonna hurt in the real world

There are so many ways around standardized tests. And really our only goal is to "pass them". I swear in all my years of school (or at least since 2nd grade, I kid you not) when standardized tests roll around we spend more time learning how to take the test, than learning the information. We are taught how the tests will "trick us" we are taught "short cuts" we are taught how to "mentally prepare". "Sleep well the two nights before, wake up and eat a full breakfast, limit stressful activities.." But do these giant tests we are taking even test our knowledge? I think to some extent yes, but on the surface...not so much. We are never really told to study but told to prepare ourselves.

I think every student has there own way of learning and are better at doing somethings than they are others. I think that your school grades are not a reflection how much you know, nor are these tests. Really the only thing that I think is even worth our time is "Using your current knowledge of _______ and the table/passage above answer the question that follows." Those kind of questions help put the knowledge we are given into real world perspective. I wish there was an easier way to test that really tested on if we knew the material or not. The only time this is really examined is in math. When we are given the bubble in your answers, because you aren't given four answer choices that you can use "common sense" to rule out.

So in other words, standardized testing is annoying and lame and in some ways a waste of time. (Time spent on how to take the test that could be used learning I don't know...the information!)

How about no...

It was a big concern there for a while that some how these MTV shows 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom and now Teen Mom 2 are making girls want to get pregnant. Not to over generalize, but  most girls would not look at the show they are watching and say "I want to look like a total idiot on TV". Most of the "mothers" on current Teen Mom 2 are not exactly the ideal role models. No, I do NOT mean that because they had children at young ages. But the way that some of the girls on the shows is ridiculous. Now don't get me wrong, I actually love this show and find my self watching in every Tuesday at 8! Haha, but seriously. These shows do not make girls want to run out and get pregnant. In fact the struggle that some of these girls face would really make you not wont to be in there position. Some lose family, friends, money, or even their chances at education. I think the only thing this show is capable of doing  is making pregnant teens want to get on the show. I guess it really depends on the girl, and the situation she is in. These shows definitely do NOT  "glamorize" teen pregnancy. And luckily after the 3 or 4 years the shows have been airing, there wasn't a sudden spike of young girls intentionally getting pregnant.