Comparative Discussion of Essays on Education - Essay Example

Section/# Comparison Essay As with so many social problems, opinions exist within almost each and every individual.Accordingly, one of the most effective tasks that a stakeholder can perform is analyzing whether or not an individual’s opinions are supported by facts and whether or not there particular approach would be affected if it were engaged. The importance of such critical thinking is essential due to the fact that refusing this particular process will invariably allow certain individuals to foist their views upon others and the end result will be less than positive. As a function of such a level of understanding, the following analysis will engage the reader with a discussion of two particular essays and the means by which their authors understood the process of education and the shortcomings it engenders. Furthermore, the preceding analysis will seek to discuss the failures of logic that are represented throughout both of the world views and prescriptive changes that these aforementioned authors make. By analyzing these errors in judgment and failures to comprehend broader truth, the reader will be able to understand more effectively why the worldview of these particular authors should be dismissed and mostly shunned. The first author that will be discussed is that of Walter S Minot. Within his article “Students Who Push Burgers”, the author puts forward the understanding that everything that is wrong with University/college education can be traced to the fact that more and more young people are currently working. This great “evil” as the author understands it, is based upon his interpretation of the way in which education should take place and the role that a dedicated unemployed student should exhibit towards learning. Exciting firsthand and uncorroborated evidence of his youth, the author points to the fact that “very few” individuals work part-time or full-time while they were in school. Firstly, it is necessary to note the fact that firsthand evidence without statistics for true universal levels of measurement is essentially useless. Whereas it might have been true that a few individuals within the authors high school were working part-time or full-time jobs, this was but one of thousands of high school that were represented throughout the country during this particular period of time. Furthermore, even if it were true that fewer individuals were working full-time or part-time jobs during the youth and adolescence of the authors high school years, this does not affect any greater understanding; due to the fact that this particular generation witnessed a very low number of individuals that went on to graduate from college and/or integrate with any higher level of education whatsoever. In fact, taking the devil’s advocate position, the reader could argue the fact that excessively low levels of employment within adolescents at this period of time had a direct relationship to the low levels of individuals that were integrating with a college degree in seeking out higher education as a means of bettering themselves. Further, the author indicates that the “need” to work among high school and college age students is based solely upon their desire to engage with and purchase luxury goods (Minot 2). Ultimately, this statement is neither corroborated nor based in fact. Instead, it is a broad and categorical statement that does not adequately capture the reason why so many students are choosing to engage with the workforce and work part-time or full-time jobs during either high school or college. Finally, utilizing his daughter is a case in point and moral compass for why individuals should not work during high school or college represent arrogant misunderstanding of the material realities that exist for a large number of individuals within the current system. Without two-parent households that are able to earn adequate income, working during high school and college is not merely an aspect of desire for luxury goods or the need to pay for entertainment; it is oftentimes the difference between abject poverty and survival. Likewise, a similarly the author is that of Anita Garland in her piece “Let’s Really Reform Our Schools”. Although it is clear and apparent that shortcomings that exists within the current provision of high school education, the outlandish statements and ludicrous prescriptions that the author makes cannot be taken seriously. Firstly, the author lays out the five key points that should be changed in order for education to function more efficiently. Whereas some of these have an inherent level of truth within them, the totality of the way in which they are represented would create an educational system that. Nazi Germany more than it would a democratic system interested in universal education. For instance, the author not only states that school uniforms should be required, she states that they should be mandatory for each and every high school within the United States. One of the hallmarks of US education has long been the fact that it’s promotes individuality and freedom of thought. Whereas it is true that certain aspects of modesty and propriety could be encouraged by the creation of a school uniform system, this would necessarily diminish the overall level of individuality that could be reflected otherwise. A second outlandish statement that is promoted has to do with outright stopping the practice of prom. As such, the author sees prom as a immoral and unconnected issue to educating the youth. Although this student partially agrees with the author on this point, prom is not something that is actively engage with or otherwise supported by the school itself. Instead, it serves as something of a joint venture between the student body and the school as a safe venue is agreed upon and festivities are conducted accordingly. Furthermore, seeking to outlaw such a practice merely because it increases the risk of teenage pregnancy or because it serves no educational function is not in and of itself sufficient to take away from one of the truly enjoyable aspects of youth and high school. Not complete with a tantrum that is already been exhibited, the author goes on to attack school nutrition, mandatory attendance, and the adulation of high school sports. In terms of school nutrition, the author does have a point with respect to the fact that the current exhibition of nutritious foods within the school system is nothing short of a running joke. However, the way that the author presumes that the situation should be improved is once again totalitarian and without reason. Likewise, even though it is true that high school sports adulation creates an impediment to higher learning and oftentimes promotes bullying, it does provide gifted athletes with the ability to demonstrate their talents and improve upon them; both in terms of personal betterment and in terms of seeking out a college scholarship for their prowess. However, perhaps the most absurd prescription for change that the author indicates is that mandatory high school attendance should be undone (Garland 1). The author goes on to lament the fact that many individuals within high school you not wish to be there and only cause trouble for the teachers and administration. However, rather than turning these individuals onto the streets and expecting a positive outcome, the author should instead look at the fact that distancing society from these individuals and removing the opportunity for learning from them does a disservice not only to the individual troublemaking student but society as a whole. From the information that has thus far been presented, it is clear and apparent that the authors of these specific articles have reviewed the respective situations that they have written about through something of a vacuum. In a perfect world, the solution to problems would be easy and effectively accomplished within a few fell swoops. However, the case of education is complex and cannot be understood within broad generalities; as the authors of these articles have so effectively demonstrated. Works Cited Garland, Anita. Millersville University - Welcome to Millersville University. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 22 July 2014. Minot, Walter S. "Students who push burgers - CSMonitor.com." The Christian Science Monitor. N.p., 22 Nov. 1988. Web. 22 July 2014. Read More