Growing Up Scripted

            While the author explains that life was much more carefree and “freer” (Doyle) 30, 40, 50 years ago, I ultimately disagree with his opinion to change laws to make schools less demanding and easier for students, and recreate that “old world”.  Yes, students in this day in age have countless responsibilities, endless homework, and a huge stress to be successful in life.  It can at times be extremely overbearing and problematic, but they also shape your character and the person you will grow up to be.  I think the most important thing when looking at this topic is effort.  If effort is put in and the student works to the best of their ability, they should be given credit for that.  But, there are also the lazy, unmotivated students who need extra help and attention to inspire them to take all the opportunities given to them.  This doesn’t mean the Department of Education should lessen the workload or the towns should create a better environment, but instead for the teachers to work extra hard with these students. 

            When looking at depression, suicide, and anxiety statistics, each person should be aware of their limit.  If they are simply unable to handle the pressure and it becomes too much, mentors should be there to individually guide them with their workload and activities.  “For starters, we could repeal the No Child Left Behind Act, offer free public education through college, eliminate most standardized tests, reconfigure town planning to make neighborhoods accessible to bicycles and pedestrians, and slash homework requirements” (Doyle).  While this is a nice idea in a general point of view, it is somewhat unrealistic to me in this modern day society.  Instead of changing the entire system, adults should be focusing in on the students who are having a hard time.  But, with that statement comes the need for good, inspirational teachers, guidance counselors, and mentors as well.  

            Ultimately, as Americans we ARE free.  We have countless freedoms other nations in the world would give anything to have.  We have schools for every child, and whether they are the best or the worst, they at least give everyone an equal opportunity to learn and broaden their horizons.  While college is expensive, at least we have the freedom to study what we want and go to the school of our choice with options like financial aid and scholarships.  I believe we should take into consideration the opportunities provided for us, and make our own decision of how we would like our lives to play out.

 

Comments

[Amanda Rigby]

Firstly, I love your response to this article, you made some very good points. Students nowadays do have countless responsibilities due to our ever-changing, expanding, fast-paced society but it is no reason to decrease the quality of education. I agree with what you said about one knowing their limits. The only way for someone to be able to do so is to have a plate full of things to do and to work towards gracefully dealing with 'clearing the plate'. More teens today are more easily prescribed with ADD or ADHD if, God forbid, someone’s thought process switches quickly. Nowadays, people prescribe someone with any type of mental disorder with the first sign of any sort of ‘uniqueness’. People are too uptight, too quick to judge, and simply too afraid of living. In our parent's age, people were not diagnosed with depression so easily, nor were they babied throughout their lives in order to make things easy or doable. Our parents and their parents were hard working independents who were so because of the responsibilities they faced and overcame. I believe anything is possible through any odds which is where I also agree with your point that people have become lazy. Effort is the only thing that will allow people to overcome anything in their lives which is a valuable life lesson.
If anyone was allowed to go to college for free, imagine the amount of lazy people who would overpopulate the colleges for those who do put effort in. Here, those lazy and hardworking would be on the same level, which is wrong.
I loved your last paragraph because we are, as Americans, free. Being tied down by responsibility does not take away the freedom we fought and obtained. Instead, it takes away our sight of such freedom. We must work towards maintaining our composure, a level head, along with a good amount of effort to 'live freely'.