for the most part, come from under-educated, anti-intellectual families that do not value education or trust the educated. There's a reason why so many "small-town kids" are overwhelmed and under-prepared for higher education. Their parents resist efforts to prepare them.
In the modern day and economy, even most of the anti-intellectual want their kids to further their education after high school. They just don't want them taught to think or to question anything, or to use "big fancy words" that extend beyond their parents' vocabulary, or to spend time reading instead of doing things with their hands. The constant mantras from those parents include:
"We didn't have to learn this when I was in school"/"We didn't do it this way"/etc., etc., etc.
"I never liked math/liked school/was good at _______" either," said with a little chuckle excusing a student who is struggling.
"You are way too hard on them. You guys just need to give them the basics and quit pushing."
"Little Freddy don't do homework; he's got too many chores to do on the ranch when he gets home. He don't have time for reading/writing/math."
"Little Freddy can't stay after school or come before school for extra help, either; we're too busy. He has barn chores."
"We'll be gone most of hunting season. Just send him some worksheets he can complete in the tent at night."
"She can't spend time studying for school this month. She's too busy studying for her hunter safety course." (Of course, I want them all to pass this one!)
"He don't need to be here everyday. Just send home the worksheets."
They assume that if their kids manage to squeak out a regular diploma from high school that they will be ready for college without managing to master all that "extra" that they didn't value. And so do their kids, until reality smacks them in the face.
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