No shop classes at any school I ever attended. Interestingly, no  
football teams either. I don't think I'm any worse off, and I don't  
think it keeps any kids from picking up the manual arts if they really  
want to. Sure one can blame the lack of adolescent interest in wood/ 
metalworking on the lack of "proper" schooling, but that's taking a  
pretty limited view.

If anything, I think all that college prep has really helped these  
young woodworkers put the "boutique" tool sellers on the map, now  
supporting what is more of a hobby and less of a trade.

-mike, in NJ, still salty over all the Phillies phans destroying  
public transit on a workday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------