Mass public schooling has acquired the role of conformity to aid students in becoming good citizens. Straying away from a crucial aspect of schooling; individuality. A glaring issue within the system has now become finding a balance between the two, but doing so in a manner that will allow students to pursue their own interests. Even though public education encourages organization and conformity due to its promotion of discipline, this rigid schooling technique hinders any attempts students make to think for themselves.
A common problem in schooling today is it’s loss of diversity and trivial support for individuality. With mandatory daily schedules to follow and overwhelming expectations that they are required to meet, schools are holding
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students back from enjoying themselves. Instead of coming to a safe learning environment, they feel like they’re returning to the same “dull and ugly place” (Source E) everyday and gaining absolutely nothing from doing so. We’ve stripped them of any independence because there’s too much being expected of them, not leaving any room for self enjoyment because they feel pressured to follow the guidelines that have been created. Many supporters of this schooling system fail to realize that it only causes disinterest within students, as they feel they’re being taught how to behave like “normal” citizens instead of gaining the education they desire. While they should be spending time discovering what interests them, they’re otherwise required to “cooperate with specific school rules” (Source G), essentially doing no good other than leading students to the conclusion that they’re “resentful prisoners” (Source E). Consequently, this is a justified conclusion as they’re forced to sit in school from “8 to 3” everyday just because society has deemed it mandatory (Source B). In retrospect, the misunderstanding of education as a whole is behind this vast fracture in the schooling system. Most importantly, the idea that education needs to resemble a “deadly routine” system (Source A). This false interpretation of education has caused schooling to lose its initial purpose; individualized learning, therefore defeating any enjoyment that can come from this prison-like system. Students should be encouraged to find a means of education that suits them best, such as indulging in activities (arts,sciences,technology) that interest them (Source F). However, we’ve managed to do the complete opposite by drenching any happiness that could have been obtained from schooling in order to appease societal interests. This “dreadful school structure” (Source B) has failed us, because we’re simply diminishing the meaning of education and have settled for the idea of creating approved-by-society students. Realistically, we’ve done a great harm to the meaning of education by ignoring how efficient its initial purpose served, even for leaders such as Washington and Franklin (Source A). On the contrary, those who heavily support conformity argue that it's a necessity to abide and meet the expectations society expects from us.
In other words, they’re strong believers in guidelines (Source G) and find attendance mandatory (Source E). Yet, they’re ignorant as they fail to acknowledge that because of these “mandatory”expectations and routine-like structures being so excessively enforced onto students they’re losing their own sense of dignity (Source E). Although, motivating students to respectfully and politely engage into schooling education is ideal, it should be done with the importance of freedom in mind. Laws were implemented in order to defend the rights of the common person, so why is it that it no longer feels that way? It all comes down to the fact that laws today help nobody (Source E), especially not the students as it’s forcing them to stay in school and encounter such an inhumane system on a daily basis. Advocates for society guidelines aren’t realizing that those sames laws are going against what once was it’s useful purpose of building morale, leaving them as hypocrites. There’s no actual benefit coming out of all these restrictions on students, instead of becoming educated members of the community they’re only growing a disdain for learning. I will admit that all the blame cannot be placed on the schools themselves, but a share of the blame can go to laws that once protected the students, which now have been deemed as insufficient. It’s far more expensive and time-consuming to force students to return to a schooling system where they won’t obtain a proper education when the system itself can be altered in everyone’s favor. In essence, those who firmly support these expectations contradict their standpoint as to why conformity should remain in schooling because they aren’t serving their purpose of creating a “civilized community life” (Source
D). Admiring conformity for it’s aid in teaching disciple is one thing, but being so obsessed that we become blinded by its harmful effects is another. Not allowing students to express their individuality can lead to more devastating results than a lack of discipline, which can still be acquired while allowing them to be individuals. We’re under the misconception that students have to be grilled with rules and expectations in order to fit into society, but it’s about preparing them for the real world by allowing them to find themselves and how they want to live. To conclude, in order to see a change in the education system we must take on the role of the student and learn that what they need to be successful is...the freedom to be themselves.
That broader conception of school allowed those schools to better support the students and address social issues that prevent students from accessing their full potential. This conceptual shift can only be spurred by a clear vision of “good education”—which then caused an improvement in their community’s education
As American’s we place a high level of importance on attending school and receiving a certain level of education. Across the world, the recommendations for attending school vastly differ based on the culture of the society. In America, we require our children to attend school until they are almost of legal age, push high school graduates to attend college and we constantly emphasize structured learning. Many children in today’s world lack many skills that would allow them to “teach” themselves outside of school leading to an increased interest in televisions, computers, and phones. Technology has taken away society’s attention away from independent learning such as reading, writing, and outside experiences. John Taylor Gatto’s emotional voice in his writing “Against School” has allowed me reveal my psychological voice regarding the educational system.
Labaree discusses how the United State’s education is in a school syndrome, as people in America want schools to teach society’s ideals as well as let people express their individuality. These two demands are polar opposites that cannot be achieved. As the focus goes towards balancing these in hopes of improving society as a whole, the bettering of actual student learning is put on pause. Labaree talks about the beginning of education reform, in the 19th century, being the most successful in developing society; however, as education reform continued throughout time, its effectiveness wore off. He then addresses how the desire for education reform is more about improving society than it is about learning. He finishes his argument by providing possible solutions to fixing this problem, but states that fixing this problem will never happen because no one is willing to give up both demands. Overall, Labaree goes in wonderful detail explaining the problems of education reform. What made me choose this article was that he addressed the desire that people have on school systems in promoting both society normality and individuality. This correlates well with my topic in whether public school systems promote conformist ideals or individuality.
Many Americans do not question the credibility of the education system within the country because they believe it forms good citizens and creates a stepping-stone to success. John Taylor Gatto is an American teacher who has experience in the classroom for thirty years and has now devoted his life to critiquing American schools exploiting his own experiences. In his essay “Against School”, he argues that the 12-year system of school may not be necessary, due to its curriculum, and that it may be a tactic of manipulation from the government to promote obedience. I agree with his argument because there are many paths to individual success outside of public education, such as homeschooling or vocational school.
John Taylor Gatto in his essay “Against School” explains the lack of motivation that students have to the educational system of the USA. He also explains the damage that the system makes to both, students and teachers, by the non-interesting topics they are taught in class. Furthermore, he enlightens the indifference of students towards the teacher, seem as incompetent and unprepared. In addition, he also highlights the dark side of the school system which intends to brainwash and rescind the ideas from students. He addresses a main goal of the educational system; convert juveniles into the next docile and manageable generation. Wherefore, he proposes an educational system that should be structured and not controlled. In addition, he demonstrates
John Taylor Gatto in his essay “Against School” explains the lack of motivation that students have to the educational system of the USA. He also explains the damage that the system makes to both, students and teachers, by the non-interesting topics they are taught class. Furthermore, he enlightens the indifference of students towards the teacher, seem as incompetent and unprepared. In addition, he also highlights the dark side of the school system which intends to brainwash and rescind the ideas from students. He addresses a main goal of the educational system; convert juveniles into the next docile and manageable generation. Wherefore, he proposes an educational system that should be structured and not controlled. In addition,
We live in a society where we are surrounded by people telling us that school/education and being educated is the only way to succeed. However, the school system is not up to the standards we want it to uphold. There are three issues we discuss the most which are the government, the student, and the teacher. In John Taylor Gatto 's essay “Against School”, we see the inside perspective of the educational system from the view of a teacher. In “I Just Wanna Be Average”, an essay written by Mike Rose, we hear a student 's experience of being in a vocational class in the lower level class in the educational system when he was supposed to be in the higher class.
In his essay “Against School,” John Taylor Gatto illustrates his view point that the American population would be better off by managing their own education. He compares the school system to the concept of boredom; that students as well as teachers are victims of the long ago adopted Prussian educational system: “We suppress our genius only because we haven’t yet figured out how to manage a population of educated men and women. The solution, I think, is simply and glorious. Let them manage themselves.” In other words, Gatto believes that the main reason for the existence of schooling consists in that it trains our children to be obedient citizens who can’t think on their own. His point is that as a society we cut off the intelligence and creativity
Robinson, Ken. “Education System Fosters a Culture of Conformity, Compliance. Chron.com. Hearst Newspapers, 16 March 2012. 3 April 2014.
The constant debate over the school systems in America, have yielded a discussion over whether these school systems promote individuality through ones’ schoolwork or if the whole system is set up to conform every student. Some important issues to discuss when looking at schools causing individuality or conformity are school dress codes, rigid school schedules and classes, and little creativity promoted in schools.
Education is an integral part of society, school helps children learn social norms as well as teach them how to be successful adults. The school systems in United States, however are failing their students. In the world as a whole, the United States is quickly falling behind other countries in important math and reading scores. The United States ranked thirtieth in math on a global scale and twentieth in literacy. This is even more true in more urban, lower socio-economic areas in the United States. These schools have lower test scores and high dropout rates. In Trenton Central High School West, there was an 83% proficiency in literacy and only 49% of the students were proficient in math. Many of these students come from minority backgrounds and are often from low income families. There are many issues surrounding these urban schools. There is a severe lack of proper funding in these districts, and much of the money they do receive is sanctioned for non-crucial things. Schools also need a certain level of individualization with their students, and in many urban classes, this simply does not happen. While there are many factors affecting the low performance of urban schools, the lack of proper funding and distribution of funds, the cultural divide between teachers and students in urban districts, along with the lack of individualization in urban classrooms are crucial reasons to explain the poor performance in these districts. Through a process of teacher lead budget committees and further teacher education, urban schools can be transformed and be better equipped to prepare their students for the global stage.
John Taylor Gatto, in his essay “Against School: How Public Education Cripples our Kids, and why”, argues that the contemporary purpose of education in public schools is to produce “harmless electorate,” “a servile labor force,” and “mindless consumers” (28). According to Gatto, he is blaming public schools by explain that the purpose of education is to shape students to certain expectations and habits without their interests. He argues that students “want to be doing something real” (Gatto 23). Also, He explains that they produce a manageable working class and “mindless consumers” (27-28). His point is that students want to learn something new that help them in their life better than actual books from school which don’t apply their interests and their experience (23). So he recommends home-schooling as option to schools (24). Gatto claims that contemporary schools “adopted one of the very worst aspect...
Going to school and getting a great education is important for a successful future in today’s world. Years ago, many children did not go to school and many young adults opted to work instead of attending college. In today’s society, gaining a high level of education is almost always mandatory for many jobs. There are many changes being done to the education system along with new items and ways of teaching in the classroom. There is a growing amount of changes in the classroom such as technology, teaching time, teaching styles, and freedom of space.
...des. Students who do well in a public school setting tend to feel better about themselves. They succeed because they want to, not because someone else forced them to.
Social institutions are an important element in the structure of human societies. They provide a structure for behavior in a particular part of social life. The five major social institutions in large societies are family, education, religion, politics, and economics. While each institution does deal with a different aspect of life, they are interrelated and intersect often in the course of daily life. For example, for schools to be able to exist they rely on funding from the government. This is an intersection between politics and education. Social institutions affect individual lives through other aspects of society such as culture, socialization, social stratification, and deviance. This paper will focus on the social institution of education, and how it affects individual lives through socialization, deviance, and social stratification.