http://www.bloggernews.net/121185 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:02:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://www.bloggernews.net/121185#comment-1285179 canjflex Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:03:41 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121185#comment-1285179 I cannot agree with your premise that immigrants who leave the Caribbean for the USA are smarter than those who stay behind. The exodus is generally of a mixed group because the motivation to leave is also varied. The reasons range from those who were struggling to get a job because they couldn't get a qualification in school to those who are given scholarships because they've excelled academically. There are many immigrants in the UK who came from the bottom of the Caribbean's intelligence barrel and there are those from the top. I think there are three main reasons why Caribbean immigrants outshine their US ethnic counterparts at studies. Firstly, some C'bean folks come from a 'hell-hole' as you described it - and they have adopted the 'fight or flight' attitude - it's either do well or go back to hell. Secondly, the Caribbean encourages a competitive spirit - and many people arrive in the UK thinking that Americans are likely to be brighter because they have all the resources they need - therefore, from Day 1 they know that they have to give their all if they are to be among the top achievers. On the other hand, many Americans have become complacent in their own education, because they take the resources for granted. They are born witha computer cable as their umbilical cord. Thirdly, the Carbbean has an excellent education system that first world countries under-rate and educators should look at the Caribbean model - this combined with the previous reasons helps to give our people an academic edge. Of course there is also a group of those you mentioned - Caribbean people who are naturally erudite - the numebr of people in this group are many. I cannot agree with your premise that immigrants who leave the Caribbean for the USA are smarter than those who stay behind. The exodus is generally of a mixed group because the motivation to leave is also varied. The reasons range from those who were struggling to get a job because they couldn’t get a qualification in school to those who are given scholarships because they’ve excelled academically.
There are many immigrants in the UK who came from the bottom of the Caribbean’s intelligence barrel and there are those from the top.
I think there are three main reasons why Caribbean immigrants outshine their US ethnic counterparts at studies. Firstly, some C’bean folks come from a ‘hell-hole’ as you described it - and they have adopted the ‘fight or flight’ attitude - it’s either do well or go back to hell. Secondly, the Caribbean encourages a competitive spirit - and many people arrive in the UK thinking that Americans are likely to be brighter because they have all the resources they need - therefore, from Day 1 they know that they have to give their all if they are to be among the top achievers. On the other hand, many Americans have become complacent in their own education, because they take the resources for granted. They are born witha computer cable as their umbilical cord. Thirdly, the Carbbean has an excellent education system that first world countries under-rate and educators should look at the Caribbean model - this combined with the previous reasons helps to give our people an academic edge.
Of course there is also a group of those you mentioned - Caribbean people who are naturally erudite - the numebr of people in this group are many.

]]> http://www.bloggernews.net/121185#comment-1284967 val Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:07:38 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/121185#comment-1284967 Australia seems to be doing well based upon descendants of a prison colony who didn't choose to immigrate. In general I think immigrant populations tend to be problem-solving, creative types who feel they can be more successful breaking out of the restrictions of their native countries. Americans came here for the opportunity of owning land and enjoying greater opportunity, especially the descendants of royalty who were flatly out of luck in the inheritance line-up. A high IQ was therefore rewarded, where in peasant and slave populations there was no incentive to excel or achieve as they were expected to follow orders without question. Australia seems to be doing well based upon descendants of a prison colony who didn’t choose to immigrate. In general I think immigrant populations tend to be problem-solving, creative types who feel they can be more successful breaking out of the restrictions of their native countries. Americans came here for the opportunity of owning land and enjoying greater opportunity, especially the descendants of royalty who were flatly out of luck in the inheritance line-up. A high IQ was therefore rewarded, where in peasant and slave populations there was no incentive to excel or achieve as they were expected to follow orders without question.

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