The list of problems that schools face (overcrowding, parental pressure, curricula packed with superfluous stuff no one will ever need again, curricula not even close to incorporating modern technology, buildings obviously in disrepair, way too early start times) is long, and it hasn't shrunk for years now.
Besides, those who suffer with it the most either don't vote or have little political relevance or maturity to make a stand. And parents are not good mediators, since they tend to focus on the outcomes, not the day to day life of the student.
That's how you reach the unfortunate situation we have today.
I do not think that countries where people under 18 years old can vote are common.
> but never so broken that it actually demands a top to bottom reform.
I would challenge that, it's just that it does not affect adults which is why it has been ignored until now.
I suggest medically induced commas for 8 hours a day. It's quite a safe technology with minimal long term negative effects.
You're getting downvoted for the coma comment, but this here is spot on. When the schools got locked down because of the 'rona, the most pressing problem for parents was that they had no place to put their kid into or a way to care for the kids themselves because rents these days require that both parents work...
It was just a modest proposal.
So really, let's focus on what matters, the original point of holding down a job was clearly to enjoy the A/C at the office.
Every cohort of teenagers since ancient times has believed, it seems, that their parents didn't understand. I think then one finds the ignorance was usually balanced in the other direction. Parents in general do want their offspring to grow to be self sufficient, which does require some pain - we're not going to be here forever to care for our kids - but most parents want their kids to get through their whole life with fulfillment and happiness. Sometimes that means a little hardship for a greater life overall.
This I think accounts for parents, in general, seeming to be hard on teenagers. Those teenagers will either realise it was for good or initiate a revolution in how they treat their own teens. That revolution hasn't happened yet.
My observation is that we go in cycles - parents are liberal, their children are more conservative (when they become parents), so their children respond by being more liberal, etc..