AIBU to ask you some questions about the USA?

[BreakfastInAmerica]

I've been reading lots of US fiction over lockdown, I've never been there.

What's the big deal with joining a fraternity house at College? What is the benefit of it? Why the Greek frat house names?

Is public access television still a thing?

Why do they call savoury muffins English Muffins when I'm more likely to see a blueberry or chocolate muffin when I'm out and about?

How do Americans eat things like thick pancakes with cream for breakfast, even the people who are slim?

What are grits?

Why are Automatic cars so prolific in the US, rather than manual/stick shift?

I'm sure I've got lots more questions and please pitch in with your own questions and answers.

AIBU to ask for your answers and questions about the small differences between the US and the UK?

Most districts have an alternative school. It is primarily for kids who would otherwise be expelled, but the different structure makes them an appealing option for teens trying to balance school and parenting. It is however illegal to mandate that a teen attend an alternative school during a pregnancy or after becoming a parent, it can only be an option.

It’s a great idea to have a school with childcare, it must make it so much easier for pregnant teens. I’m not sure we have it in the U.K. (but we still have teen pregnancies!)

Teen pregnancy rates have dropped hard in the US and it’s actually not that common anymore, probably why shows like Teen Mom are so popular!

It was more common when I was in HS and as it was a poor rural school, we had more than the usual share. Some dropped out but others were able to graduate on time though. Probably through family help and correspondence courses. Alternatively you could just study for the GED at home rather than attend classes.

But it wouldn’t make sense to have daycare at public schools since the numbers would be pretty small. Maybe those alternative schools mentioned by PPs would have the numbers to justify it.

Compulsory american school is up to 18 isn't it? Whereas in the UK its 16 with work or college after, UK teen pregnancy's have dropped but I also don't think they'd be as visible as some young mothers will be in the workforce not just in the classroom. My UK school with no sixth form has roughly 1 teen pregnancy (that we are told about not including abortions etc) every 2 years or so.

There also used to be a charity around here GFS I think where teen mums went for support that had childcare, was attached to a young mother hostel and also provided tuition in basic GCSEs and childcare. Unfortunately I believe it closed due to lack of funding.

Compulsory american school is up to 18 isn't it?

It depends on the state. Some states have 18; others are 17 or 16. Of course it's possible to finish high school before the age of 18, and there is usually no requirement to do any further schooling.

Also, even states with higher ages allow exceptions

I'm absolutely loving this thread! Is New England as beautiful as I've heard some people describe? Would love to visit coastal Maine, Cape Cod etc.

As someone living in Maine I can definitely say coastal Maine is astonishingly beautiful. There aren't as many beaches as you'd expect because it's such a rocky coast, but the beaches that do exist are amazing.

Inland Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are mostly mountains and forest and lakes - there are also some areas that are fairly flat and dull.

My husband is periodically offered jobs elsewhere and we agonise over whether or not to leave, then end up staying.

New England is gorgeous. I'm off to Cape Cod next week and I can't wait.

So jealous allfurcoatnoknickers! Am definitely adding it to the bucket list

There is a very well regarded school here for pregnant girls/new mothers. There is child care on site for them. UK.

If you're touring New England add the Hudson Valley in New York to your list. especially the area around West Point. Loads of history, lovely rivers views, mountains and state parks too.

A bit of colonial era history - West Point was the spot where a massive chain was stretched across the Hudson River to prevent the Royal Navy from sailing further north during the American revolution.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Highlands

@InTheCludgie I went for the first time for a hen 'do in Martha's Vineyard, then for a proper Hyannis, Chatham, Provincetown trip last year. We loved it so much we're spending a week in Provincetown this summer, and if it goes well will re-book for next year.

I can't wait - going to take lots of long sea walks with the dogs and eat my own body weight in lobster rolls and sea food.

[quote elp30]@kierenthecommunity

I'm from far west Texas (current live in SE Texas) and it's very much part of our upbringing to be polite and use, "Yes, Sir/ Yes Ma'am" when speaking to our elders and to those we don't know well. And it's expected!

[/quote]
I'm late to this thread but enjoying it a lot! elp30, on the Sir/Ma'am thing, my first "proper" job after college* was in an IT call centre where we were answering technical queries from US customers. One of the things we were instructed to do as part of our training was always to use "Sir" or "Ma'am", as appropriate, which would not be at all customary here in Ireland. I remember taking a call from a young lad - late teens, I'd say - who asked me if I was from Texas, because I was "so polite". I was absolutely tickled by this, with my flat, midlands Irish accent!!

*re college v university, I have noticed that in some particular instances, this being one of them, Irish and US usage are in alignment and different from British usage. We would generally use "college" to refer to all third level/tertiary education, and it would encompass both universities and institutes of technology. In fact, I am not entirely clear what UK MNers mean by sixth form college. Here in Ireland, secondary/second level education comprises five or six years from ages 12/13 to 17/18, with completion of the Leaving Certificate (analogous to A-Levels) at the end. There is no separate "college" for sixth years (analogous to sixth formers or 12th graders) and nobody in second level education would be referred to as going to college; "college" always denotes third level.

Sorry if this has already been asked - I got halfway through the thread and had to butt in! - but I have a question re the "status" of certain professions/jobs, specifically teachers and police officers. Here in Ireland, both police officers (gardaí) and, in particular, teachers would be considered white-collar, very "respectable" roles. Teaching requires very good results in the terminal assessment process at second level to enter into the appropriate third level training. Both jobs are well paid here in Ireland; not "high-paid", perhaps - certainly not by MN standards!! - but a good and significantly above-the-average-industrial-wage salary.

However, US TV shows, films, books etc generally seem to convey cops and teachers as very much "blue-collar" workers, with very shit wages. I even recall there being specific references in TV shows to the salaries the police officer/teacher character is on and being astonished at how low it was! Can any of our US friends offer any insight on this?

Definitely not the case, with either profession. These are both usually union jobs, with excellent advocates for their members.

Police salaries are probably one of the largest line items in a municipal budget, and teacher salaries are more or less on par with the UK at the start but rise exponentially faster. In my state, the teaching unions mean this is also coupled with an excellent pension and healthcare benefits. They are also tenured posts in many cases, offering a level of job security in a generally at-will employment country. It makes it VERY difficult to leave the profession, with the benefits and security.

I'm sure that most teachers and police officers don't think they are being paid enough and in many cases that is true. Also it varies greatly from state to state.

"Blue collar" in the US is not so much a status designation, but more the kinds of jobs, like factory work, that don't require college, etc. Many blue collar workers make more than some white collar workers. "Blue collar" would not normally include teachers and less and less these days, police officers. More and more police departments are requiring some higher education and even degrees for entry.

Teaching and Policing both have some similarity in that starting wages are shit, but if you can claw your way to the top, you can get a very good salary and amazing benefits.

But neither profession is particularly well respected ... teaching degrees are seen as kind of for rather unambitious people (that’s the stereotype, not my personal opinion)

Thanks a million for the replies, gwenneh, SenecaFallsRedux and HelloToMyKitty! They are so interesting. I have visited the US a couple of times on holiday, but so much of my view of the country is mediated through television, films and books. Growing up in the 80s, I thought everybody in the US was impossibly rich, beautiful, smart and glamorous, thanks to Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest and Knots Landing!

teaching degrees are seen as kind of for rather unambitious people

That very much depends on the degree. Many teachers, especially in high school, have a degree in a specific subject, supplemented by education courses. For example, I have three close friends who are teachers. They have degrees in English Literature, Biology, and Spanish.

Sounds similar to the UK that teachers aren't really respected, despite having to be degree level and pretty intelligent.

A few people have mentioned homecoming on the thread, and it’s in a lot of films - but what exactly is it?

It's two things -- the first "home" American football game played at the school (the first game held on school grounds) and a semi-formal dance which marks the occasion. Usually the two are held at the same weekend.

Homecoming is the first home football game of the season. There’s usually a parade, then the game, and a dance at the school in the evening. A homecoming king and queen are often elected. It’s fun, especially the parade (I think) - at my high school all the years had their own floats and there was a lot of friendly rivalry between the years.

Re teaching and pay. I spent most of my childhood in the UK and some in the US. I lived in a fairly poor part of the US and the teachers definitely lived in the nicest neighbourhoods of the area BUT I was really shocked that many of my teachers in the US had second jobs, usually in shops during the summer holidays. That’s not something I’ve ever really come across in the UK.

@SenecaFallsRedux

teaching degrees are seen as kind of for rather unambitious people

That very much depends on the degree. Many teachers, especially in high school, have a degree in a specific subject, supplemented by education courses. For example, I have three close friends who are teachers. They have degrees in English Literature, Biology, and Spanish.

I agree. My children' 6th grade humanities teacher had a degree in law from Harvard Law School and had practiced for a while. Their social studies course that year was the civil rights era and he had them reading original supreme court decisions. The math/science teacher the same year was an engineer who had gone into teaching. I have a friend with an engineering degree and masters from University of Chicago who, after 10 years working as an engineer in a big firm, retrained to teach high school maths. She knew she was going to earn less but figured that was balanced by being off for the same holidays as her children.

I wouldn't say teachers aren't respected - in my experience they are. It just isn't seen as a particularly lucrative career. Many of the teachers I know will be involved in summer camps or tutoring or similar over the holidays - but the holidays are way longer than UK. They are off for at least 2 months possibly more.