--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the general feeling in the…" description: "\"“But the general feeling in the neighborhood was that school was for suckers. The dropouts were the ones who said that the most, and of course they usu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/michael-patrick-macdonald-4712_quote_but-the-general-feeling-in-the-neighborh_525295.jpg" --- # But the general feeling in the neighborhood was that… ![“But the general feeling in the neighborhood was that school was for suckers. The dropouts were the ones who said that the most, and of course they usually looked as if they were having the most fun, wearing the best clothes, and making the most loot from drugs and petty scams. Ma said Kathy was…” quote by Michael Patrick MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/michael-patrick-macdonald-4712_quote_but-the-general-feeling-in-the-neighborh_525295.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/michael-patrick-macdonald-4712_quote_but-the-general-feeling-in-the-neighborh_525295.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac2/michael-patrick-macdonald-4712_quote_but-the-general-feeling-in-the-neighborh_525295.jpg) > ““But the general feeling in the neighborhood was that school was for suckers. The dropouts were the ones who said that the most, and of course they usually looked as if they were having the most fun, wearing the best clothes, and making the most loot from drugs and petty scams. Ma said Kathy was starting to get into the drugs, but I already knew that. She said she’d heard that the 8th Street gang was”” [Michael Patrick MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-patrick-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The community perceives school as uncool, while dropout culture appears glamorous, leading youth toward crime and drug use. **In simple terms:** School is seen as uncool; crime looks attractive. Key Takeaway Challenge stereotypes about education. Themes youth culture education crime social perception Mood empathetic concerned Type sociological narrative When to use this quote - school outreach - community mentorship - after‑school programs - crime prevention Key Concepts Social stigma peer influence urban decay Questions to Reflect On - Why do some youths view school negatively? - What alternatives can make education appealing? 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