2 ms·

I am not a Penn State grad but I have suspicion that there is simple explanation. The explanation is marketing. As students are less and less independent, the d

I am not a Penn State grad but I have suspicion that there is simple explanation. The explanation is marketing. As students are less and less independent, the decisions are made my more and more concerned parents. Parents that don't want their "kids" engaging in "risky" activities. The actual risk has nothing to do with this, only perception of it. My school organized trips to wilderness and I took part in it when I was 9. There were no phones, no satellites. This was cold war Poland and the bears and wolves were present in the woods. Yet I never heard anything really dangerous happening to anybody unless you ask for problems (like climbing a steep rock face without safeties). You are probably safer in the wilderness than on the city street.

cjrp 9y ago
> Parents that don't want their "kids" engaging in "risky" activities. Penn State is a university for adults, no? Not a nursery or something.
- lmilcin 9y ago
  That would seem to be but that is not what is happening. Young men and women may be of legal age but are not at all independent financially or mentally from their parents. Financially, it is more and more difficult with each year as education costs inflate, to be able to afford education yourself. There were times when you could get a job and be able to survive through university but I think this is past. At the same time parents became crazy for safety and behave overprotective of their kids. This means it is more difficult for the young adult to take independent decision and when faced with conflict they will more likely yield to parents. The parents themselves, being crazy for safety, are less and less approving of any activities that may be contrived to be unsafe for children. Your kids sensibilities can be hurt? That's a no no... Lack of cell coverage... don't even think about it.
  - cjrp 9y ago
    Interesting, so you think it comes down to "I'm paying $x/year for you to be at the school, you are forbidden from taking part in dangerous activities". If so, that's really quite sad - university should be a time where you transition into adulthood and are responsible for your own decisions (good and bad).

cjrp 9y ago

> Parents that don't want their "kids" engaging in "risky" activities. Penn State is a university for adults, no? Not a nursery or something.

lmilcin 9y ago
That would seem to be but that is not what is happening. Young men and women may be of legal age but are not at all independent financially or mentally from their parents. Financially, it is more and more difficult with each year as education costs inflate, to be able to afford education yourself. There were times when you could get a job and be able to survive through university but I think this is past. At the same time parents became crazy for safety and behave overprotective of their kids. This means it is more difficult for the young adult to take independent decision and when faced with conflict they will more likely yield to parents. The parents themselves, being crazy for safety, are less and less approving of any activities that may be contrived to be unsafe for children. Your kids sensibilities can be hurt? That's a no no... Lack of cell coverage... don't even think about it.
- cjrp 9y ago
  Interesting, so you think it comes down to "I'm paying $x/year for you to be at the school, you are forbidden from taking part in dangerous activities". If so, that's really quite sad - university should be a time where you transition into adulthood and are responsible for your own decisions (good and bad).