单选题
{{B}}TEXT B{{/B}}
Personality is to a large
extent inherent -- A type parents usually bring about A type offspring.
But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition
is important to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor in the lives
of their children.
One place where children soak up A
characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive
institution. Too many schools adopt the "win at all costs" moral standard and
measure their success by sporting achievements. The current. passion for making
children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a
two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than
their B type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences:
remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds
after saying :" Rejoice, we conquer !"
By far the worst form of
competition in schools is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations. It is a
rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well. The
merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition
in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.
Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A youngsters
change into B's. The world needs types, and schools have an important duty to
try to fit a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top
management.
If the preoccupation of schools with academic work
Was lessened, more time might be spent teaching children surer values. Perhaps
selection for the caring professions, especially medicine, could be made less by
good grades in chemistry and more by such considerations as sensitivity and
sympathy. It is surely a mistake to choose our doctors exclusively from A type
stock. B's are important and should be encouraged.