How come that Americans learn so few about the rest of the world in High School?
605920
I have taught students from Germany and they have asked me if people speak English in my state. They have asked me all sorts of seemingly ignorant questions about America when they have spent their entire lives watching American movies. I don't think this is because Germans don't learn about America or are particularly stupid. I have come to understand it is the nature of young adults. They are totally absorbed with themselves and do not take in ANY information unless it is directly pertinent to them. As for junior year, that is the year that focuses on American history and American literature. If you had been there earlier or in senior year, you would have learned World History and either World or British literature.
339655
Because they are not encouraged to study it (or, indeed, much at all). There is emphasis on things like sports and television, instead.\n\nAs a result, they never learn how interesting science is, or, if they do, as a result of peer pressure, they focus on other things, and never think about science until later in life, when they have strange preconceptions about science.\n\nFinally, intellectual laziness is encouraged in our society, and so, children don't have the desire to go out and learn science, because it's difficult, and people, especially most Americans, don't like difficult things. They want easy answers. And they don't want to have to change their minds as a result of new evidence. They want Truth, with a capital T.
706542
the best high school in america is NOT East Hampton High School in new york, on long island. despite being one of the wealthiest districts in the nation, our school sucks. and 75 % of the kids don't give a f*ck about learning. it's a sh*t whole
3224
i dont think u should generalize. but i think some people (not necessarily americans) are less informed about the world is because they are sheltered and are not open to other people's cultures, beliefs and traditions
145555
Because they feel the name "American" makes them superior to others and as a results they do not feel the need to educate themselves or learn about other people and their cultures/religions.  It's a me, me, me society we live in.  Money doesn't help the situation either.  Also, people can be educated and still be ignorant.\n\nCommon sense...is it really all that common?
134521
Let's start with Pr1ncess' answer:\n\n  "well cause their dumb" \n\nYou have to go no furher to figure out the the dumbing down of America starts with our youth.  This new breed of "me, me, me, and now, now, now" doesn't take the time to fully understand the long term benefits of hard work and a good education.  \n\nEverything they do revolves around shortcuts.  A microwave now takes too long to cook their food.  Spelling is limited to web jargon: LOL, coz (or cause as Princess stated).  Kids now post their homework in this site and have other people do it for them.  Yes, the education system is lacking, but this is more a sign of the times.  \n\nBy the way, Princess, it should be "Well, it's because they're dumb"  My pet peeve is people not knowing the difference between their, they're, and there.
939715
Assuming that you yourself are in middle or high school, you could interview or survey your classmates to see how much they know about certain Middle Eastern issues. I think you should also maybe focus more on how much teenagers are misinformed rather than not caring.
689289
most americans like everyone else in the world have the tendency to stereotype and judge without enough information, sure there are those with good hearts and working brains, but sadly they are most of the time overshadowed by ignorant and arogant ones, i don't believe in communism, but this doesn't mean i have to fight everyone else with different belief than mine, and doesn't necessarily mean i'm right and they are wrong in the 1st place !! God when will this world grow up a little!
59154
Not really - I think that America's children are just as smart as any other country's.  However, it seems to me that America does not emphasize education for children as much as other countries do; so therefore, the intelligence as the youth grows up in America is lacking and behind those of other countries.  THAT's the key right there - if we, the people of the USA, concentrated on our children's education as much as we pay attention to the sports, the welfare of 3rd world countries, the next big movie, the latest American Idol, etc., etc. then I would daresay that our education would match any of the world powers.  Intelligence really cannot be quantified as such.  Knowledge, however, can be!
1074663
It's because Americans don't feel the need to study another language-they think everyone speaks English anyway.\nDespite the fact USA is a quilt of different cultures, they all assimilate in  no time, and the prodigy of an immigrant rarely speak their parents' language. It's a closed and complacent society, with little or no respect for any culture outside USA.\n"We are the  best, we are the the first, no one else matters" is the common attitude. At school foreign languages are not taught well and students barely study one language, which they rarely master...And even if you learn another language, if you don't practice it, you forget it.\nI think that is a great disadvantage for Americans, because they are understood wherever they go, but they don't understand anybody ...
1039936
That is the general opinion all over the world at the moment, but the truth of the matter is that Americans are no less educated than any one else in any other country.  I pinpoint the blame on the examples you pointed out as mere cases of general human stupidity.  And unfortunately for most, the stupid people are often the most vocal.  I think it's safe to say that Americans are no less intelligent that any other country's population, as idiocy is a general characteristic of humanity that is non-specific to any group of people.  America's stupids are just more vocal, and Americans are a huge news topic at the moment, so there is this sudden wave of "Look at America".  This causes people to look at what idiots in our country are doing and forget that they have morons in their country as well.  Education in America is fine.  People are just dumb.
251253
it helps to expand peoples ideas and knowledge of the world and to help them to understand things from a different perspective. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why people from different countries act the way they do but to see the world from that persons point of view helps to promote understanding. As an american I cannot comment on Indian education but I imagine from your perspective anything other than Indian education is forign  education.
122068
I believe most Americans can not see past their own noses.\nWe seem to be under a silvered bell jar inward looking only and not able to see past into the rest of the world.\nMost Americans only speak one language and have a world view presented to them by corporate controlled media.  We are kind of like the people in Plato's Cave.
530164
I do not know a lot about americans, but my brother who stayed for about 3-4 years observed a lot about them and made some very good observations. I would like to share the same with you. \nOne of the things that makes them ignorant is they are geographically isolated with most parts of the world. They are not in the tension or sensitive areas of the world like the Middle East or even the South Asia. So it is very difficult for them to comprehend the real issues. Their politicians are constantly messing up the things the world around by poking their nose where it is not required and the general public has to suffer the consequences. \nAt the same time their economy has managed to be so vibrant and sustaining that it has almost become a practice for it to ignore others and continue in its brash ways. So many cultures and nationalities have assimilated in the american culture that they think they have seen it all. Whereas, the world thinks they have a lot to learn and open up as well. \nBut they cannot continue in this path for long, because countries like India & China (which right now in a vast way dependant on US) can change the course of future. Americans have to be aware, already so many of their jobs are moving places. Its going to change. Its only a matter of time. They have to change whether its willingly or unwillingly. They cannot be ignorant in the world economy.
802667
If 1/2 the schools in the US thinks yes, then teachers are not doing well in the history aspect of education. Now, these kids need to know their rights, and the rights of others. I thought schools get taught the Constitution and bill of rights. At least I would expect thee civil war to be mentioned before 6th grade, the rest would follow. Freedom of speech, FREEDOM OF PRESS, freedom of religion, and so on. With this knowledge one can understand why America is America and not new great Brittan or some British ruled country paying taxes on land we are not living and harvesting from. ( ha, nowadays, this country is doing all kinds of illegal activities. No wonder why 1/2 the youth is lost and confused)
637572
Because americans don't take anything as seriously as other countries. The USA is very culturally different than say... Japan or Russia. In those countries families are a lot closer and education is a very important thing, so in a way doing bad would be like a crime.
744436
its 50/50 why is because if the child goes to skool in india it with teach em their culture and origin. but the u.s is more advanced...so they will learn more. (no offence to anyone)