A. (03/25/83)
The following text was taken from a 1966 Reader's Digest primer for elementary-school children. The son of one of my colleagues was given this primer by his (public-school) teacher as extra reading. I received my early education at the United Nations school in New York, which was a pretty liberal establishment, so this is the first time I have ever seen such material. Was this sort of stuff very common during the sixties? Is it still common today? Have we come a long way in recognizing that such stereotyping is bad, or, have we not come very far at all if the teacher saw nothing wrong with using this material (not as a class assignment, mind you)? Andrew Shaw BTLHO x4715 houxq!bis (possible) houxm!hocpc!ams (possible) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIS DREAMS When I grow up, what do I want to be? A fireman! Or a worker in the sky! - -------- -- - ------ -- --- ---- Ah-ooo-Ah-oooo-Ah-ooooo! Who's afraid of high places? Ding, ding, ding! I'm not! I'll ride on a fire engine. I'll build tall, tall buildings. Get out of our way, I'll walk about like a fly -- everybody! We're going to high above the street. save people from a fire! Or a space man! Or a truck driver! -- - ----- ---- -- - ----- ------- I'll take off in a rocket. I want to drive a big, And I'll play tag with the stars. big truck. I'll sit high up People will say, "Look at him! in the driver's seat. He has been to the moon!" "I am the king of the road," Yes, I think I'll be I'll say. a space man! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HER DREAMS When I grow up, what do I want to be? A circus star! Or a meter maid! - ------ ----- -- - ----- ----- I can just *see* myself on I like the way the meter maids a high wire! And I'll ride a dress. And I like to be outdoors. white horse in the parade, It will be fun to mark tires. too. People will say, "Oh!" Maybe I'll marry a and "Ah!" as I go by. I'll policeman! give my firends free tickets. Or-best of all-I'll be like Mother! Or a nurse! -- ---- -- --- ---- -- ---- ------- -- - ------ She isn't a circus star. I like to do things for But she *is* a nurse sometimes. people. I'll help sick people And she cooks and sews. get well. I'll wear a pretty I'll cook and sew white dress and cap. and keep my family Maybe I'll marry a doctor! happy -- just like Mother! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------