Stupid (but sincere) Questions about the USA

[IrisAlthea]

Well guys and gals, there is http://vocaroo.com/, not the best one but its really simple and easy. I recorded myself on my own language for the giggles in a Playground thread just recently. The quality is fine so knock yourself out

"Sorry, your device does not support in-browser audio recording"
I'll see if the computer is more helpful when I have a bit more time.

 

[seela]

I'd be really into hearing people's accent. The natural ones, not them trying to sound like they're from somewhere else, but how they normally speak.

 

[Endless_Night]

I also like the idea, though I've been hesitant to say so as I wouldn't be willing to participate, at least for a while. I've started Invisaline and, for the moment, at least, it makes me lisp.

 

[seela]

I also like the idea, though I've been hesitant to say so as I wouldn't be willing to participate, at least for a while. I've started Invisaline and, for the moment, at least, it makes me lisp.

But the comedic value of it could be huge.

I'm not sure I'd participate either. My headset has somehow died and when I tried the computer's built-in microphone on Vocaroo, the result was less than stellar. But then again my accent's probably less interesting anyways because it's not native English.

 

[StrayKat]

Cammon ladies, I dared in my first-morning-coffee grumpy voice and with half broken mic, so can you. I am sure your lisp sounds adorable and who cares if its not stellar by your criteria.... its all just for fun.

 

[Endless_Night]

But the comedic value of it could be huge.

I'm not sure I'd participate either. My headset has somehow died and when I tried the computer's built-in microphone on Vocaroo, the result was less than stellar. But then again my accent's probably less interesting anyways because it's not native English.

I'd actually be more interested in hearing the non-native accents.

 

[Endless_Night]

Cammon ladies, I dared in my first-morning-coffee grumpy voice and with half broken mic, so can you. I am sure your lisp sounds adorable and who cares if its not stellar by your criteria.... its all just for fun.

True, you did. But I suspect you're braver than I.

 

[seela]

Cammon ladies, I dared in my first-morning-coffee grumpy voice and with half broken mic, so can you. I am sure your lisp sounds adorable and who cares if its not stellar by your criteria.... its all just for fun.

I've done it before on another forum, but for foreign languages. We all read the same text in all the languages we knew (the declaration of human rights, because it's a text that's readily available in many languages) but not our native. It was fun. At least at the beginning, but then people started getting nitpicky and correcting others' pronunciation. That took the fun out of it pretty quickly...

I'd actually be more interested in hearing the non-native accents.

They have their charm, sure. I'd be more interested in the native accents, because they're so varied and some of them are so difficult for me to understand.

 

[Ahlam]

I'd be really into hearing people's accent. The natural ones, not them trying to sound like they're from somewhere else, but how they normally speak.

I'd be game for that.

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

New thread?
The... "Show us your lovely accent" thread for posting voice clips

 

[DVS]

New thread?
The... "Show us your lovely accent" thread for posting voice clips

You'll have to post them off site, because Lit has limits on what types of files can be attachments.

 

[seela]

Prompted by IrisAlthea's post on another thread...

We have special clinics for expecting mothers and their children. The mother goes there for check-ups before the child is born, and then the child gets regular check-ups there until they go to school at the age of 7. For the expectant mother there are about 10 check-ups during the pregnancy, where they make sure that everything's going ok. There are 11 check-ups altogether for the "normal" children, and but they might want you to go there more often, too. They keep track of the physical and mental development of the child and give vaccinations. They also try to support the family as a whole, because the time with a young baby can be very stressful.

It's all free of charge (other health care isn't, so this clinic is special) and not mandatory, but pretty much all mothers and children go through the check-ups. The mother has to have at least one check-up before the end of the 4th month, I think, of pregnancy to be eligible to get the maternity grant (140 euros) or a maternity package.

So my question is. Do something like this clinic and check-ups exist in the US?

(And someone start the dialect/accent/voice thread already! )

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

A bump for Seela's question

I don't know nothin 'bout birthin' babies but surely someone does... I think the answer may lie in that these clinics may not exist in the US? But I'm not really sure. Family members that have had babies have all had a doctor and scheduled appointments in that doctor's office throughout their pregnancy. I don't know if this is strictly because of policies of the company they hold their insurance with, or if it is simply done differently here? And I don't intend to find out first hand, either

 

[All_4_Love]

Prompted by IrisAlthea's post on another thread...

We have special clinics for expecting mothers and their children. The mother goes there for check-ups before the child is born, and then the child gets regular check-ups there until they go to school at the age of 7. For the expectant mother there are about 10 check-ups during the pregnancy, where they make sure that everything's going ok. There are 11 check-ups altogether for the "normal" children, and but they might want you to go there more often, too. They keep track of the physical and mental development of the child and give vaccinations. They also try to support the family as a whole, because the time with a young baby can be very stressful.

It's all free of charge (other health care isn't, so this clinic is special) and not mandatory, but pretty much all mothers and children go through the check-ups. The mother has to have at least one check-up before the end of the 4th month, I think, of pregnancy to be eligible to get the maternity grant (140 euros) or a maternity package.

So my question is. Do something like this clinic and check-ups exist in the US?

(And someone start the dialect/accent/voice thread already! )

Gosh, that's wonderful.

Sadly, I know of nothing of the sort here in the US. I do know that we have many clinics that offer free healthcare geared toward the direction of pregnancy prevention and STD prevention, but nothing for expectant mothers to my knowledge.

 

[seela]

I don't know nothin 'bout birthin' babies but surely someone does... I think the answer may lie in that these clinics may not exist in the US? But I'm not really sure. Family members that have had babies have all had a doctor and scheduled appointments in that doctor's office throughout their pregnancy. I don't know if this is strictly because of policies of the company they hold their insurance with, or if it is simply done differently here? And I don't intend to find out first hand, either

Thanks for the bump, I had already forgotten I had asked this.

Gosh, that's wonderful.

Sadly, I know of nothing of the sort here in the US. I do know that we have many clinics that offer free healthcare geared toward the direction of pregnancy prevention and STD prevention, but nothing for expectant mothers to my knowledge.

So if you have no insurance, you might not get any monitoring during your pregnancy? That sounds sad and scary.

Do you have some sort of check up for the kids before they go to school, to make sure they can manage starting school and all? Here the kids have that one last visit to the clinic when they're 6 and there it's made sure the children can concentrate on things, have essential motor skills and are in general ready to go to school. If they aren't, they'll get special help to get them up to speed before the school begins, or they can start school a year later.

Women can also get their IUDs, pill prescriptions and so on taken care of at another branch of that same clinic, even if they don't have any kids.

 

[Wanderer0327]

Some areas of the US do have free access to prenatal and neonatal care. Our hospital has a rural health clinic that provides services (not just birth-related) for minimal fee or free if your financial situation warrants it. I've used them a few times as have members of my family. I always found the doctors and nurses to be exemplary.

 

[All_4_Love]

Thanks for the bump, I had already forgotten I had asked this.


So if you have no insurance, you might not get any monitoring during your pregnancy? That sounds sad and scary.

Do you have some sort of check up for the kids before they go to school, to make sure they can manage starting school and all? Here the kids have that one last visit to the clinic when they're 6 and there it's made sure the children can concentrate on things, have essential motor skills and are in general ready to go to school. If they aren't, they'll get special help to get them up to speed before the school begins, or they can start school a year later.

Women can also get their IUDs, pill prescriptions and so on taken care of at another branch of that same clinic, even if they don't have any kids.

If you have no insurance, AND you are pretty much indigent, then of course you can get free healthcare. The epidemic here is that many do not qualify as indigent, but yet they still cannot afford healthcare, so they are left with very few resources. Most of the time, they know how to hide income, or be dishonest about other things in order to qualify for the benefits and coverage. Our system makes it rather easy for them to do so.

There are county clinics, some things that are funded by the state and such, and fortunately most of that is geared toward children and the elderly. It doesn't sound like we have anything at all close to what you have. I mean in the way of seeing a mother during pregnancy and then following the child throughout until school age. That is really something, quite impressive, IMO.

 

[Endless_Night]

There are definitely programs for the financially challenged when it comes to prenatal and child medical care. (The names of which escape me at the moment). The services are either free or cheap, depending on income level. There's a food assistance program as well, called WICK(?) or something similar, that gives out food stamps for the new mother and baby.

To my knowledge there is no type of cognitive check for school entry.

Planned Parenthood offers free or inexpensive birth control options.

These are all basically financial assistance programs. People not in monetary need go to their own doc for prenatal care and birth control. We certainly don't have any type of central clinic set up where everyone goes.

Sorry for the lack on institution names, not really up on this stuff.

 

[IrisAlthea]

If you have no insurance, AND you are pretty much indigent, then of course you can get free healthcare. The epidemic here is that many do not qualify as indigent, but yet they still cannot afford healthcare, so they are left with very few resources. Most of the time, they know how to hide income, or be dishonest about other things in order to qualify for the benefits and coverage. Our system makes it rather easy for them to do so.

There are county clinics, some things that are funded by the state and such, and fortunately most of that is geared toward children and the elderly. It doesn't sound like we have anything at all close to what you have. I mean in the way of seeing a mother during pregnancy and then following the child throughout until school age. That is really something, quite impressive, IMO.

It goes on thorough school years too, with free check ups, vaccinations etc.
All dental care and medical care is free up to age 20.
Medication you have to pay for but only up to a certain point, then it's free.
Medical care is heavily subsidized for grown ups too and there is a top limit for how much you pay for meds and dental care too.
It's pretty high for dentalcare though.

 

[seela]

Time to revive this thread.

I was reading a book by a German guy who's lived in the USA and is now living in Canada. He mentioned, that in some states in the USA and in at least his corner of Canada it's illegal for the parents to let their kids go out without supervision if they're under the age of 10. I guess the age may vary, but that's the number he mentioned.

So that got me thinking. How do the kids get to school? If they live like one mile from the school, do they still have to take the school bus? Do kids anywhere go to school by bike or walking?

Edit: Also, don't the kids ever visit each other? Do parents always have to drop them off if they want to play together?

 

[paynomind]

Time to revive this thread.

I was reading a book by a German guy who's lived in the USA and is now living in Canada. He mentioned, that in some states in the USA and in at least his corner of Canada it's illegal for the parents to let their kids go out without supervision if they're under the age of 10. I guess the age may vary, but that's the number he mentioned.

So that got me thinking. How do the kids get to school? If they live like one mile from the school, do they still have to take the school bus? Do kids anywhere go to school by bike or walking?

Edit: Also, don't the kids ever visit each other? Do parents always have to drop them off if they want to play together?

I live right next to an elementary school so it's hard not to notice the droves of kids running past my house. The kids mostly show up by bus, some are driven by their parents, and a lot of them walk in groups with a parent. That doesn't mean that kids don't go to school unsupervised, but it's definitely not the norm around here.

With all the horror stories we've heard about kids leaving for school and not showing up, there doesn't really need to be a law because we're all so wary about leaving children alone.

Kids visit each other all the time. When I was in school and I wanted to go to a friend's house I had to turn in a signed slip from my parents saying I could go home on a different bus. If it wasn't a school day, I was driven by my parents. It's probably still the same since it wasn't that long ago.

Hope that helps

 

[seela]

I live right next to an elementary school so it's hard not to notice the droves of kids running past my house. The kids mostly show up by bus, some are driven by their parents, and a lot of them walk in groups with a parent. That doesn't mean that kids don't go to school unsupervised, but it's definitely not the norm around here.

With all the horror stories we've heard about kids leaving for school and not showing up, there doesn't really need to be a law because we're all so wary about leaving children alone.

Kids visit each other all the time. When I was in school and I wanted to go to a friend's house I had to turn in a signed slip from my parents saying I could go home on a different bus. If it wasn't a school day, I was driven by my parents. It's probably still the same since it wasn't that long ago.

Hope that helps

So at what age, usually, would the kids be allowed to walk to school without parental supervision? I understand this varies a lot, but maybe roughly? I find it very hard to imagine that a parent would walk a kid to school here except for the first couple of days or weeks of school. But of course here we start school later, at the age of 7.

If you want to visit your friend after school, you have to take their schoolbus? How about if they live only a couple of blocks away. Would you then be able to walk or take the bike, or would you still have to wait for your parents to come home and drop you off?

 

[paynomind]

So at what age, usually, would the kids be allowed to walk to school without parental supervision? I understand this varies a lot, but maybe roughly? I find it very hard to imagine that a parent would walk a kid to school here except for the first couple of days or weeks of school. But of course here we start school later, at the age of 7.

If you want to visit your friend after school, you have to take their schoolbus? How about if they live only a couple of blocks away. Would you then be able to walk or take the bike, or would you still have to wait for your parents to come home and drop you off?

I was allowed to walk home with my best friend without supervision around 14-15 years old, but she lived pretty close to our highschool (less than a mile). There were a couple of times when I walked home with a friend in middle school but her mom always showed up before classes were out and walked with us.

The busses went everywhere, very few kids weren't on a route, even the one's close to the school. The ones that weren't on a route were usually out of the school district because they lived so far away.

 

[DVS]

Time to revive this thread.

I was reading a book by a German guy who's lived in the USA and is now living in Canada. He mentioned, that in some states in the USA and in at least his corner of Canada it's illegal for the parents to let their kids go out without supervision if they're under the age of 10. I guess the age may vary, but that's the number he mentioned.

So that got me thinking. How do the kids get to school? If they live like one mile from the school, do they still have to take the school bus? Do kids anywhere go to school by bike or walking?

Edit: Also, don't the kids ever visit each other? Do parents always have to drop them off if they want to play together?

My childhood was different. It was the 1950s and early 60s and also a very small town. Those two things made it a lot safer than it is today. I don't know for sure when I started walking to school, but it was pretty early. The neighborhood kids would usually all walk together. That wasn't for safety. It was for companionship. On some of the real rainy days, my dad might take us to school, but usually we all got bundled up and walked together, in all kinds of weather. It was about 2 miles to grade school and when we started walking to high school, it wasn't quite 2 miles.

There were buses for the kids that lived in the country. We didn't have any kind of bus that picked up any kids living in town. Either you all walked, rode your bike or maybe one of the parents would take you. But, the town wasn't that large. I think the city limits were about 3 miles across. The grade school was in the north and the high school was to the south. I lived in the south of town, closer to the high school.

I remember one bad winter storm when the buses couldn't get through the deep snow to get the country kids home. So, they all stayed the night with classmates in town. I'd guess now they have a better system in place, but back then, we stayed in school until it was time to go home. School came first. The weather was always there. It was just a few times when we couldn't get around in it.

When we got old enough to drive, we would usually find an old car and our dad would help us buy it or if the kid was crafty enough to work on cars, he might find a junker and fix it up to his liking. Nobody ever locked their car and in the summer months we never rolled the windows up. I parked my car out on the street, beside our house and when getting out of the car, I would wonder if I should roll my windows up...in case it might rain in the night. I don't remember any theft or even vandalism back then. Oh, there were sad things like auto accidents that high school kids would get into and be killed, but I think it was when I was in my 30s or 40s that I heard about the first murder in that town.

Kids would socialize a lot. In the younger years, it was neighborhood kids that played together, but as I got older, I was able to ride my bike anywhere in town. It was so safe that the only real restrictions I had in the summer months were to be home when we ate meals. Other kids did have more restrictions, but I think my parents had the right idea. They allowed me more freedom because they knew my friends couldn't do the bad things and none of us kids ever cared about doing things alone. So, if one kid couldn't go somewhere, I wouldn't go there, either.

During the months that school was in session, I was restricted to home work and making sure I was in bed at a certain time, as well as being home when we ate meals. But, everybody I knew was in the same situation as I was, so none of that was actually very restrictive. In my opinion, restrictions are only felt when you are the only one restricted. If you see your friends out having fun and you can't, you notice it a lot more than if you are all restricted in the same way. Again, I think that was the small town way of doing things.

I had a pretty nice childhood, seeing how kids grow up these days. My small town isn't as small as it was back then, but it's still different than living in a city setting. But, I know they lock their doors at night, and roll up those windows and lock the cars, too. I don't know when that bad element enters a town, but it's in that town, now. Not that many murders, but there have been a few. Theft is more visible, too. Times change. I'm glad I grew up when I did.

 

[Netzach]

So at what age, usually, would the kids be allowed to walk to school without parental supervision? I understand this varies a lot, but maybe roughly? I find it very hard to imagine that a parent would walk a kid to school here except for the first couple of days or weeks of school. But of course here we start school later, at the age of 7.

If you want to visit your friend after school, you have to take their schoolbus? How about if they live only a couple of blocks away. Would you then be able to walk or take the bike, or would you still have to wait for your parents to come home and drop you off?

You've got so many regions, classes, neighborhoods and parent schedules as to make this impossible to answer. School bus till grade 6 at my school though.

In NYC I wasn't allowed around without an adult till about 10 or so (this was the 80's and the city was pretty insane, for reference) and after that I don't remember venturing away from groups till about 14 or 15 to go a few blocks for groceries, 17 to go into the city alone to meet my mother after work or something like that. This was only about a year more paranoid than any of my friends. It's a different city at this point.

At this point and in MPLS, if I had kids and they went to the nearest school I can think of, I'd be pretty comfortable letting them walk there if they seemed to grasp stranger danger and crossing the street concepts by about age 9 or 10.

7 is still really little, even if you're reading above your level and doing all your at-home chores. They'd stick out too, people would wonder what they're out there for, for good or for ill. But that's all about where I am - get out of the city for two hours and go to a tiny town and that's craziness and all the kids are still out all hours, and at 7 you may have some cows to move to pasture. One of my friends did, anyway.