You seriously dated someone who left school at the age of 13.

[robblok]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

I know of course my views are disputed by others who love a dumb girl and love to keep her dumb as they have power over her that way.

Anyway to each his or her own, for me never a dumb woman again I prefer one with an education who is financially independent and can use her brain to solve problems we encounter. Saves a lot of problems and then you don't have to do all the thinking and planning in a relation plus she knows the country better as you.

[JUDAS]

I've met some highly educated stupid people and some very intelligent uneducated people.

[robblok]

theres a lot of things in this life that school wont teach you,

im not the brightest at spelling and things,

but ive done well for myself, through hard work,

jake

School only shows what your capable of and helps you get a good basis after that your on your own.

An education is a good tool for employers to filter out the unwanted people (sad but true) however if you got loads of experience in your field you will find a job too.

Its not the education as such but your intelligence and your persistence plus your work ethos that will get you where you need to go.

Though knowing some connected people will make life a lot easier.

[rookball]

big deal. i left school at 12

[MrWorldwide]

I worked at a University for over 4 years (IT developer) and it's scary to see the standard of 'work' that some students are willing to submit. Plagiarism was a major issue, and many seemed to have absolutely zero problem copying and pasting reams of text from online sources into their assignments. The official line as that it was a 'cultural issue' and that many students from overseas had been educated in a 'collaborative' manner, with very little focus on their individual - that's code for 'their cheques cashed and we cant just kick them out !'

Definitely something wrong with the way English is being taught at tertiary level in Thailand when I can be accosted by 10-year old kids in Cambo who have better conversational English skills than some of the grads at Chulalongkorn. I guess it's all about motivation

[cgphuket]

Thanks for reminding me why I don't associate with Farang in Thailand. And by the way, a computer science degree in Thailand is equal to the education level of 13 y/o in the West. Don't get to full of yourself.

No, this isn't a thread about dating 13 year olds, rather those that left school at the age 13.
I thought that such a statement deserves a thread of it's own.
The original post to do it justice from another thread was:

(When was your last holiday in the west where you had everything done for you be a local girl that left school at age 13?)
Back to school here on the spelling I'm afraid - Ed.

and it gets better with another post in the same vain:

How many in the West would marry a girl who dropped out of school at 13?
Why would anyone do that here? By the way, my wife has a computer science degree -- that probably makes a difference.

There but for the grace of God, go I.
So what's my point.
I couldn't believe that these individuals, would make such naive, crass, uneducated statements.

Thailand is an agrarian country, and it's only since we entered the present century, that the women have come out of the rice fields.

Free compulsory education in the UK up to 16 years of age came into force in 1972.
By comparison free education in Thailand was only up to the age of 12 years, as late as 2002.
Only in August 2002 was it increased to 16.
The 1999 National Education Act also legislates that compulsory education shall be extended from six to nine years and shall be completely undertaken within the year 2002:

http://www.unesco.org/education/wef/countryreports/thailand/rapport_1.html

So that makes the said computer scientist wife only 23 or younger - lucky guy.
No.
If she is older than 23, by default this means she was privately educated, along with the other 10% of the population.
Whilst the other 90% were condemned to work in the rice fields, because free state education was only up 12 years of age.

I don't know about you, but when I got off the plane for the first time at Don Mueang Airport, I was inundated with post graduate Thai girls wai-ing and presenting me with garlands.
On arriving down town, everywhere I went I couldn't help bumping into girls that had MBA's, Ph.D's etc.
In fact I thought I had just walked onto the game show University Challenge.

[MrWorldwide]

robblok, I agree with most of what you have said, but substitute 'headhunters' for employers and I think you've hit the nail on the head.

IT Recruitment is particularly bad - I don't expect these guys to have intimate knowledge of every buzzword on an employer's wishlist, but when you see the same tired cliches in the ads year after year it really does start to look a whole lot like real estate/used car sales. I've had newbies email or call me based on a resume I left with their predecessor 3 years earlier, wanting to know when I can come in for an interview. Total muppets, but the 'image is everything' approach would undoubtedly work wonders in Bangkok. I don't know the Thai equivalent of 'hit the ground running', but I expect that there are people who do - from April next year, they can all kiss my lilywhite butt each and every Monday morning !

[kikoman]

What makes a women with a University degree better than a Thai lady with not a lot of formal education.

I was a high school drop out at 17 and returned to graduate from the University at age 43, that did not make me any more intelligent, only opened more doors for better employment position and/or opportunities.

My Thai wife only had 5 years of formal education, but worked in all kinds of jobs in family businesses, She is a great and loving wife, a good mother, excellent cook (Thai and Mexican food), cuts and makes all of my XXL shirts, does all kinds of crafts, makes patch work Quilting taught to her by my sister on a two day visit, does most of the yard work, can finish cement, avid fisher-women and a great many other skills.

Much more all around complete women, than any one I ever dated in the west, many with graduate degrees and still retains her femininity and youthful beauty into her 40's.

You may ignorantly base a women's acceptance to a university degree, instead of the worldly knowledge she has, and the qualities that make her, unique-ly her.

Which are not gained by her ability to conform to sitting through 4 or more years of university classes. That is just as bad as marrying a trophy wife because she is slim, young and beautiful , eventually she will age!

Cheers:

[JLCrab]

In Thailand some families might stop sending a 13 year old or some other age girl to school simply because they do not have the money for tuition, clothes, books, etc. In some of those cases they also figure, with looks like hers, she will have no problem snagging a wealthy husband anyway.

Thai or foreigner ?

Thai.

[Stradavarius37]

This thread is a waste of 1's and 0's....

[up2you2]

Some clarifications on my OP.

Sure choosing a spouse from a radically different socio-economic group will highlight potential difficulties, but to criticize those for doing so, well maybe you do find that acceptable.

The women who I do know would all have higher qualifications, if they had been given half the chance.
All I trying to say here is that I have met some incredible intelligent women without qualifications, but regrettable they were all denied further education, simple because of their backgrounds.
Sure qualifications aren't everything, but try stating that on your CV.

I was far from denigrating those that have been under privilege.
However I was in fact criticizing those who do cast aspersions for dating or marrying women, that in their eyes have "dropped" out of school at 13.
I don't know about you, but I have to really struggle when I try to think of just how many guys I've met, whose girl friends and wives did not in fact leave school at 13.
But perhaps I am showing my age.

[JLCrab]

In Thailand some families might stop sending a 13 year old or some other age girl to school simply because they do not have the money for tuition, clothes, books, etc. In some of those cases they also figure, with looks like hers, she will have no problem snagging a wealthy husband anyway.

Thai or foreigner ?

Thai.

(Addendum) Let's put it this way: In Khon Kaen there is a BMW automobile dealership and I would say that their typical customer is Thai, not foreigner.

[somtampet]

There should be some kind of accreditation process where farang can bring their spouses and have them given a colored ribbon to wear whenever leaving the house so that everyone will know their social status and maybe in conjunction with Thai Visa each users avatar could also be marked identifying the social status of their spouse. This would appear to fulfill a very important role in the lives of many Thai Visa users.

u are right mate.I could puke sometimes,of the total arrogance of some on here.

[somtampet]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

I know of course my views are disputed by others who love a dumb girl and love to keep her dumb as they have power over her that way.

Anyway to each his or her own, for me never a dumb woman again I prefer one with an education who is financially independent and can use her brain to solve problems we encounter. Saves a lot of problems and then you don't have to do all the thinking and planning in a relation plus she knows the country better as you.

Beacuse someone is less educated than others,why should they have to be dumb?????

[Thaddeus]

I don't know about you, but when I got off the plane for the first time at Don Mueang Airport, I was inundated with post graduate Thai girls wai-ing and presenting me with garlands.

On arriving down town, everywhere I went I couldn't help bumping into girls that had MBA's, Ph.D's etc.

In fact I thought I had just walked onto the game show University Challenge.

Darn it, I must have arrived in the wrong decade as I only came across taxi touts and a lot of "mister, mister, where you go?"

Could have been an optional extra if you came by Thai Airways.

[TexasRanger]

Due to my birthday falling in August I left school at 15. I work with many similarly educated people and some guys who did further education, it may surprise some that people with basic education don't grunt their way through life snd dome of us do very well thank you. So what if a girl quits school at 13? Is book learning the most important form of education?

I vote not.

[Salapoo]

Sorry mate (OP), I'm baffled by your post. I'll ask my wife to explain it. What is your point?

I went to ask mine, but she was busy washing the clothes and dishes.

Perfect.

[robblok]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

I know of course my views are disputed by others who love a dumb girl and love to keep her dumb as they have power over her that way.

Anyway to each his or her own, for me never a dumb woman again I prefer one with an education who is financially independent and can use her brain to solve problems we encounter. Saves a lot of problems and then you don't have to do all the thinking and planning in a relation plus she knows the country better as you.

Beacuse someone is less educated than others,why should they have to be dumb?????

Just read my other posts and you will see i do not equate no education and being dumb. This girl however was dumb and had no education my mistake to get into a relation with her. I learned a lot since then.

[robblok]

Due to my birthday falling in August I left school at 15. I work with many similarly educated people and some guys who did further education, it may surprise some that people with basic education don't grunt their way through life snd dome of us do very well thank you. So what if a girl quits school at 13? Is book learning the most important form of education?

I vote not.

Nope not the most important but it does help a lot, education give you a good basis to develop yourself. It makes things easier to grow and learn more.

However that does not mean that people without education are dumb they can be smart too they were just not educated.

I do think that education is an important asset if you combine it with willpower and work ethos plus some intelligence, those things will then work in synergy.

But however we are educated there are always others in in the same field or other fields that are better. I am well educated but I am crap with my hands, often I wish I was more technical especially here in Thailand where it is hard to find good builders and such.

You can't have it all.

[akspace]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

Funny, constant arguments over everything is why I don't date women with a similar level of education. I spend my entire day arguing about every single little detail, I sure don't need that when I get home. Any women with anything close to a similar education (two bachelors, masters and PHD) spends entirely too much time questioning everything for me to have a chance to relax when I'm with her.

[robblok]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

Funny, constant arguments over everything is why I don't date women with a similar level of education. I spend my entire day arguing about every single little detail, I sure don't need that when I get home. Any women with anything close to a similar education (two bachelors, masters and PHD) spends entirely too much time questioning everything for me to have a chance to relax when I'm with her.

Different people different preferences... and that is a good thing else the world would be a boring place.

[MilesofSmiles]

Who cares about education, you can always learn new things.

What matters (to me at least) is being happy, enjoying life,

The most important thing is that you and your partner are a positive influence on each other and the life you create together.

Find joy in the differences between you, see things from a different perspective.

Yin/Yang

A good relationship is a celebration of life.

Seeking external validation is (IMO) a waste of time.

Yes a totally different background can be difficult, incredibly frustrating at times, but rewarding.

I was married to a Japanese lady for many years. A makeup artist.. lovely woman, but ... 天然 Tennen, a bit of an airhead.

I found it endearing. Of course we could talk about serious things, but she wasn't going discuss particle physics with me...that's what my mate Chris is for.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

When was your last holiday in the west where you had everything done for you by a local girl that left school at age 13?

This original comment, posted by me, was nothing to do with dating/marrying an uneducated girl.

It was all about learning Thai, running a business and taking legal advice, etc.

And one's first choice would clearly not be from someone who left school at age 13.

[MilesofSmiles]

Funny, constant arguments over everything is why I don't date women with a similar level of education. I spend my entire day arguing about every single little detail, I sure don't need that when I get home. Any women with anything close to a similar education (two bachelors, masters and PHD) spends entirely too much time questioning everything for me to have a chance to relax when I'm with her.

I had the same problem, but was lucky to figure out early that, finding someone who was an intellectual challenge just resulted in woe.

[billd766]

Who would marry a guy who left school at 15 with no qualifications?

Two women that I know of.

Also from my ear leaving school in the UK in 1959 perhaps 50% of the population did so also.

My first wife was from the west and also left school at that age and had been working steadily up the chain in an international company working in the UK. When we married, she was 30 and I was 32 and I was in the RAF.

That marriage lasted nearly 20 years until I divorced her to marry my Thai wife Strangely enough she had stayed at school until 18 to get a better education. She worked in BKK with a small international import/export company which she quit and started a small successful restaurant. We met in 1993 and married in 2000 and now live up country with our 9 tear old son.

I suspect that the O/P is talking male bovine excreta but that is up to him.

Edited August 2, 2013 by billd766

[h90]

I think in the west a lot men marry uneducated women. Else there would be lot singles.

Most men marry girls who are better educated than they are, thanks to their dilligence in school. In the West, we are kindly blessed with an ample supply of young men to whom education would not stick were it applied with a wallpaper brush

SC

Actually I once had a girl that was not educated at my level. I was young and stupid but I was cured after her it was a constant battle on the most simple subjects.

After that I decided that there should not be a too big a discrepancy of intelligence and education in a relation. Sure if your only after sex and a hot girl then a hot body is enough. But that does get boring after a while if you want more from a relation.

I know of course my views are disputed by others who love a dumb girl and love to keep her dumb as they have power over her that way.

Anyway to each his or her own, for me never a dumb woman again I prefer one with an education who is financially independent and can use her brain to solve problems we encounter. Saves a lot of problems and then you don't have to do all the thinking and planning in a relation plus she knows the country better as you.

Beacuse someone is less educated than others,why should they have to be dumb?????

Well for me education is more than the school education.

If someone drops out of school with 13, but is interested, reads newspapers and books, I would call them educated.

If someone drops out of school with 18 or later, but only looks soap operas, football, video games he/she wouldn't appear educated.

[plopmeister]

Did the OP meet his University educated gf in a NEP/Patpong/SC beer bar in '97/'98..?? There was little else for university educated girls to do during and after the financial crash....but it wasn't their fault and it's not the fault of a girl having to leave school at 13......

I would much rather socialise with people that have experienced an eventfull life rather than a bunch of highly educated arrogant pompous <deleted>..

[Nana Cowboy]

I lived with a Thai girl who said she left school after the 9th grade and she had a 2 year old kid and was 18 at the time. I suppose that is close to 13. The thought of marrying this girl never crossed my mind and finally she moved out after those 5 years. Getting into arguments with her proved futile as she was just too dumb. I met a 25 year old University grad with no kid after that and married her right away. She is so smart. I think she's smarter than I am. Life with her is a dream. I think you are much better off marrying someone with a brain than what I think the OP is referring to so I suppose I agree with that part of his post

[pattayadingo]

The lady in my life DID leave school at 13.

Is she thick as 2 short planks? No.

Is she a money grubber? No.

Is she kind, caring and loving? yes.

The point is, she came from a village where the school (one school only) educated them until the age of 13.

She has taught herself English by listening to me and by watching DLTV English lessons. And her English is very good.

She has even had her own business in the past.

[h90]

well no wonder most bargirls are from issan..

dont understand the people who marry these losers, this will never happen back home but here its seems like standard..

When I look the men from my country who marry Thai women, than 90 % of them aren't the next Nobel price nominee as well and their previous wifes back in Farangland weren't that hi-so as well.

Or to make it short: uneducated marries uneducated. Some get happy some don't. Some improve together some drink themself to death together.

All human nothing new. I guess there was already the same discussion in Rome 2000 years ago.