Hillbillies

[sandmaster]

The USA is usually thought of as advanced and educated. But it is a huge country and when I see films depicting mid west towns, hours from any other town, I wonder what the social life is like. But there must be homesteads where a single family live hours from anyone else. How well educated are their children? And what of their social skills? Anyone from the USA care to comment?

[JockSporran]

"Squeal, piggy, squeal!"

[Clanad]

We probably live as far from neignbors as possible this side of Alaska. The distance doesn't matter since it also engenders closeness and caring for each other. Our children probably receive a better education that the general populace as shown by the high percentage of them continuing on to college.
Most of my neighbors have traveled abroad and all have interests outside of the main occupation of making a living at cattle ranching, here in the intermountain area of the western U.S.
I have many relatives in the southern states and they are chaffed at the image presented by the movies and television productions. My own experience has been that there are enclaves of undereducation and even ignorance throughout our country, just as I've experienced in most the parts of the world in whcih I've traveled.
Although living here on the family ranch (it's been in the family since 1882) I''ve spent the majority of my adult life (during and after college) learning to fly and then being a pilot in commercial aviation, spending a number of years in long haul, international operations.
Some of the stone-stupid people I've ever met are in the metropolitan areas of our country. Can't chew gum and walk at the same time. Most are well educated but lack any reserves of life experience...

[jno]

but how did you get educated in a rural area, Clanad? Did everyone for miles around head for the village school?Or was it done by correspondence as I think Australians do it?

[Clanad]

No, jno, we have an excellent school bus system. Additionally, the school systems that once consisted of several small, rural schools have, for the most part, consolidated into substantial ones. The nearest one has an enrollment of nearly 800 students and has a wonderful sports program. The graduation rate is nearly 98% and of those, around 82% continue on to higher education at one of our 4 Universities......

[jno]

sounds like it must take a while commuting, Clanad, if a pool of 800 students is being tapped; but I guess that's part of the deal with rural living.

[Clanad]

A friend is the transportation director for the school system and he tells me there are about 40 busses that make the routes. The farthest student has to ride for about an hour each way... but these are ranch kids and both boys and girls have already worked at their chores before getting on the bus at about 7:00 AM... But your right jno, it's part of a life that most have willingly chosen and wouldn't trade for all the world...

[sandmaster]

When I posted this question I feared I would get some stupid replies - and initially I did, but thanks Clanad for your reply. I really do envy you your background and admire the success you've made of life.

[sandmaster]

Another thought, Clanad, I live in Wales, a part of the UK which is constantly being depicted on TV as backward and overpopulated by sheep!! I have lived in England and have friends in Scotland and I am as happy in Wales as I think I would be anywhere else. The people are generally warm and friendly but obviously we have our fair share of idiots, like everywhere else in the world!! My daughter has travelled just about every continent (just Africa (December) South America and Antartica to go). And she loves Wales.