School work

School work

Kimberly Conolly
English 101
Homework
October 5, 2009

In our grandparents’ generation, people had life way harder than how we do today. People today fail to realize how much we really have and take advantage of it. Unlike us, our grandparents’ generation did have something to complain about, but didn’t, because they were grateful for what they had, and not complaining over they did not have, or what they lacked.
Firstly, the education that was provided in our grandparents’ generation was not as much as we do have today. Most people’s education only went on to what they called standard six (which is year six, the end of primary school). If students wanted to further their education, they would have to travel to Jamaica and continue from there. Not everyone was fortunate enough to go to Jamaica; only a selected few had the option to do so. Now, everyone is provided with the education needed. From primary to high school; now even college education is offered here on Cayman Brac.
They were also short of food supplies; most people had to raise their own meat kind, such as: cow for beef, pig for pork, chicken, and fish. For fish, they would have to go out to sea and catch their own; some people made this an official occupation. For fruits and vegetables, they would have to cultivate and harvest their own. Although they grew and raised their own food, the supply was still short and some children went to school without food. Instead, they would take fruits. Now, we have more than we can ask for – too much. Food resources are often wasted, instead of saving what’s left. For food, we don’t even have to cook if we’re not in the mood, or just don’t feel like it; we can go almost anywhere on the island, and purchase food from a fast food restaurant.
Also, materials and supplies were very hard to come by, back in those days. Clothes was another thing people were short of. Some people substituted the flour bag for clothes; it was often used as underwear or a shirt for children. Most people could not afford shoes. If they were to have one, it would be kept for special occasions, such as church, weddings, and funerals. Most children went to school barefoot. Children also lacked school supplies such as books. They had to use a slate (a miniature black board that they used to write notes on). Today, we have more than we can ask for; clothes is something we don’t lack. The average person’s closet is basically overflowing with clothes and shoes; some people would probably have to find somewhere else in their house to store their possessions.
Finally, transportation; transportation was another thing that people years ago were short of. Unlike today, most people didn’t have cars; the average number of cars available on the island was about one or two. The one or two cars that were on the island belonged to the richer people, like the Kirkcornells. Instead of cars, people used different forms of transportation, such as donkeys, a bicycle, or just walk to their destinations. Another way of transportation was a cat boat; people used to ride the cat boat from one side of the island to another. Today it seems compulsory for a teenager fresh out of high school to have a license and his/her car. Most people today would either complain or hitch a ride with someone if they had to walk on the road, which shows how spoilt the people of today have become; unlike the people in our grandparents’ generation, who were actually thankful for what they did have.
In conclusion, people did have life harder than how we do now. Education, food resources, supplies, and transportation were not like how we have them today. Although we do have so much, people are begging for more, and not being grateful for what we do have. Looking back at our grandparents’ generation, we should be more appreciative and grateful for what we have, like how they were grateful for what they did have back in those times.