Someone mentioned during the last class session how they had once had the feeling of "what's it all about?" in regards to the education process. I'm sure we all can relate to those sentiments. Isn't that the basic meaning behind the age old question students inevitably ask; "when will I ever use_____ (insert subject matter) once I'm done with school?" So then why do we educate our children in the United States?
Given the heavy emphasis on technology and industry in today's economy, one might argue that the agrarian nation Jefferson envisioned and the educational philosophies he developed as a result, may not be relevant in contemporary society. However, in my opinion, at least one of Jefferson's beliefs holds true. Jefferson was a major proponent of the "pursuit of happiness" ideal we are so fond of as Americans. I believe that in today's society, perhaps even more so than in Jefferson's day, education is almost always a necessary component to achieving this ideal.
While societal structure may have inhibited some individuals, such as women or slaves, from attaining "happiness" in the form of obtaining an education, owning land, voting, or pursuing various professions during Jefferson's era, there are much fewer class or societal restraints present in today's society. I would argue that often times the major impediment to achieving happiness today, has something to do with a lack of education; or perhaps, rather, the accessibility and quality of education. It is common knowledge that without, at minimum, a high school diploma or GED it is very difficult, if not almost impossible, for someone in this country to obtain a decent paying, stable, job. Although, given the recent downturn in our nation's economy, some (including recent, unemployed college graduates) might say that education is not the "fix-all" solution as far as turning unemployment numbers around.
So while maybe not the ideal, philosophical, reason as to why we should educate our children in the United States, from a practical standpoint, it is arguable that a solid education is necessary for individuals to obtain any kind of financial stability or success in our society. This doesn't mean that I believe that education simply exists to produce pawns to participate in our capitalistic society (what kind of teacher would that make me? eek!) I believe that the reasons why we should and do educate our children are vast and complex. I think that placing an emphasis on both the intellectual and financial empowerment that education can provide future students is important in my role as a teacher. An understanding of the practicality of education could potentially help them answer that "what's it all about?" question.
2 comments:
Erin, I enjoyed reading your Philog this week. I think our prompt was a tough one because there were so many BIG questions to answer. You did a nice job incorporating Jefferson's 'Pursuit of Happiness' into your response. I agree that it is extremely difficult to 'pursue happiness' without some level of higher education. I'd even go so far as to say that it is becoming more and more difficult to find a stable, good paying job with a Bachelor's degree. Do you agree/disagree? What do you think that means for our future students? One thing I'd like to hear more about (maybe in a future Philog assignment) is in regard to the varying levels of education we provide our children. It is no secret that children of parents from a higher socioeconomic status get a much better education than those from a lower SES...I think we should discuss the fact that so many of our children get an unequal education. Also, why do you think our Founding Fathers decided not to make an equal education a Constitutional Right? Just a few things to think about that came to mind as I read your blog...good job!
Hi Erin,
Your post really got me thinking about what the pursuit of happiness actually is. I began with a thought that 'happiness' is extremely individual. At first my thoughts went to my personal life. You see, I don't find that the pursuit of happiness is tied to education quite like you presented it. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 9 years excluded 1 year that I was an EA. Prior to this, I was in the business world in Human Resources and made more money than my husband (a PE teacher). I have discovered that for me, raising my children as a stay at home mom was happiness. Now, my family has had to make many, many sacrifices to obtain this, but that is happiness to us. I continued in that theme and realized that for us to have found our happiness, my husband had to have a steady (though not high paying) job that did require higher education. So I guess for me, though education provided the opportunity to stay at home through my husband's stable job, it was not getting the high paying job myself that gave me happiness. I kind of came full circle in this. Though I did not gain happiness myself thru high paying careers, it is my husband's financially stable job (thru higher education) that allowed my happiness.
I agree with you on your point that many students (myself included on occasion) wonders what the point of it all is. I also hope to challenge my students and provide a glimpse of how it all matters also. Good job and Thank you for getting me thinking!
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