It’s graduation season. Almost daily it seems since where I live.

However, when did graduation from stuff like elementary school become such a big deal? Have been seeing friends post about their kids finishing 6th grade and they have ceremonies and family gatherings at the school that look like a high school graduation. I don’t recall that at all.

See it at many levels too. Preschool, 6th grade, 8th grade. I only remember graduation being a thing for high school and college. Yeah, somewhat for preschool, but not like it is today.

It’s graduation season. Almost daily it seems since where I live.

However, when did graduation from stuff like elementary school become such a big deal? Have been seeing friends post about their kids finishing 6th grade and they have ceremonies and family gatherings at the school that look like a high school graduation. I don’t recall that at all.

See it at many levels too. Preschool, 6th grade, 8th grade. I only remember graduation being a thing for high school and college. Yeah, somewhat for preschool, but not like it is today.

EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY!

EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY!

I was gonna say/ask if it’s an extension of “everyone is a winner” thing.

But I also thought part of a marketing thing. Lots of $$$ bring spent on that stuff.

In 1995 my 5th grade had a graduation ceremony.... so a while?

In 1995 my 5th grade had a graduation ceremony.... so a while?

5th grade?

And multiple valedictorians. What the heck is that? One school had like 20. I heard all that finished with 4.0 or higher got valedictorian. But we only had one.

The university I went to had full ride for valedictorian. I ended up with 85% covered, so still pretty good. But 15% of tuition was quite a bit.

5th grade?

And multiple valedictorians. What the heck is that? One school had like 20. I heard all that finished with 4.0 or higher got valedictorian. But we only had one.

The university I went to had full ride for valedictorian. I ended up with 85% covered, so still pretty good. But 15% of tuition was quite a bit.

Ali'iolani only went up to 5th grade ;-)

That's what I told my son. In my day, they opened the doors at the end of the last day and said good luck as we threw our papers in the air and ran.

I think the new generation knows next to nothing for what it's like to accomplish things without praise and validation. We played kiddie league sports and unless we came in first, nobody got a trophy, ribbon, or piece of paper. The only time I got a graduation was in High School an College. I think the new generation could use a little dose of what it is to be 2nd place (1st place losers) without any acknowledgment. No doubt I will get flamed for feeling that way.

Thank goodness that many on this site recognize the problems our young people. I have noticed that too many young men and women have unrealistic expectations. They frequently have no idea of the concept of  "Work Ethic" Too often they do not have patience and are unwilling to earn their stripes in order to get a promotion. Old fogeys like me will have to rely on the younger generations to keep this country going. In spite of the snowflake factories, there are some very exceptional young people. We need more of them. I wonder if BHO's boast to fundamentally change America contributed to this problem. 

If/when I become a parent, I will not celebrate passing from elementry to middle and middle to high school.  This has to be expected.

I'll show up, but kids not getting a gift.  At most a congrats and a hug/high-5.

In my time, there was last day of school which the teacher usually brought snacks and then that's it.

A cool story, my friends son moved to NY for high school (with mother).  When his dad flew up for graduation, he brought leis for his son and his son's friends.

No one in the school got lei's.  So when he lei'd girls, they were super happy and was like "OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!!!".  In the pics, he had about ear high of lei's and everyone in the background had nothing.

If/when I become a parent, I will not celebrate passing from elementry to middle and middle to high school.  This has to be expected.

I'll show up, but kids not getting a gift.  At most a congrats and a hug/high-5.

Yes you will. As a parent you will do it so your kid doesn’t feel left out compared to their class mates. You can explain to them why you do t think it’s right/a good idea but you will particpate none the less.

Yes you will. As a parent you will do it so your kid doesn’t feel left out compared to their class mates. You can explain to them why you do t think it’s right/a good idea but you will particpate none the less.

Everyone is telling me that.  Especially if I have a girl.

I see things both ways. I do see it as a positive to acknowledge accomplishments, but do think the 6th grade graduation, to the level that I’ve seen is overboard. As mentioned above, it was an expected progression. Yes, I have some in my dad’s family that didn’t finish high school, but that was mostly due to other family dynamics (needed to work or take care of younger siblings) as opposed to being able to complete. 

Playing sports in HS, I wondered how some didn’t make grades. And I think it was 2.0. It wasn’t that they weren’t intelligent enough, they just “weren’t into school”. I get it’s an individual choice on validating education, but I also didn’t view HS graduation as a huge accomplishment either. Yes, I didn’t have much to worry about besides school, and I’m certainly thankful to my parents for that.

As for pressures to keep up with the Joneses, I’m sure it’s real and very much a factor in much of this. One school has a graduation and then others ask why can’t we.

I think the new generation knows next to nothing for what it's like to accomplish things without praise and validation. We played kiddie league sports and unless we came in first, nobody got a trophy, ribbon, or piece of paper. The only time I got a graduation was in High School an College. I think the new generation could use a little dose of what it is to be 2nd place (1st place losers) without any acknowledgment. No doubt I will get flamed for feeling that way.

No. You’re definitely not the only one that feels that way.

Didn’t like finishing 2nd, work harder. Get better. Again, I do see value in encouraging no matter the outcome, but pride and accomplishment of hard work out in to win and succeed gets watered down if everyone a winner. At least IMO.

I see things both ways. I do see it as a positive to acknowledge accomplishments, but do think the 6th grade graduation, to the level that I’ve seen is overboard. As mentioned above, it was an expected progression. Yes, I have some in my dad’s family that didn’t finish high school, but that was mostly due to other family dynamics (needed to work or take care of younger siblings) as opposed to being able to complete. 

Playing sports in HS, I wondered how some didn’t make grades. And I think it was 2.0. It wasn’t that they weren’t intelligent enough, they just “weren’t into school”. I get it’s an individual choice on validating education, but I also didn’t view HS graduation as a huge accomplishment either. Yes, I didn’t have much to worry about besides school, and I’m certainly thankful to my parents for that.

As for pressures to keep up with the Joneses, I’m sure it’s real and very much a factor in much of this. One school has a graduation and then others ask why can’t we.

One of the years that I played football, we had a lineman who had a 4.0.  Everyone else barely made grades.  My coaches response to his progress checks "I don't trust a smart lineman".  We all laughed.

I appreciate honesty.
If I am not up to par it drives me to do better and not be content

In elementary school, if I made straight A’s on my report cards, my parents would take me out for ice cream. When I graduated from High School they bought me a suit and told me I had 3 months to find a job. And if I did not continue on to college then I had 6 months to get out.