Societal norms have led those to who want to become successful in the world to have much more than a high school diploma. Although the basic idea is to heighten knowledge, it is a misconception to the core underlying reality; I remind you this is an opinion.
We begin with the thought of the process. Never in my youth had I not envisioned myself not moving forward in the world without progressing in school. Was this embedded by my parents, as most would arguably say as the underlying factor, for me it was not. I recall laying in bed reading the Harry Potter series at the age of ten (prior to the mass flooding of social media, although it did exist) wondering what it is I wanted to do to become rich and how I was going to get there; since I knew Harry's inheritance wasn't a likely circumstance, nor were magical powers. As time moved forward, and the priorities in which I had were faded, “reality” set. But, why is it that? Why is it that that the things that we love, we set aside for things that help us make money. Here is where I believe lies the problem with education, what it is that provides most happiness is not necessarily what pays. I believe that what we create mentally is the foundation to how our lives are paved. The saddening truth is a life worthwhile doesn't necessarily provide immediate satisfaction, but bills, family and the present do.
Inflation, political, and monetary opinions aside, why is it that the future and the dreams we have in our youth can not be obtainable? Why is there is there such differentiation among the job titles, types of degrees, where we went to school, and the job itself weigh so much? In an ideal world, the point of an education is to further our knowledge in what it is we are passionate about. With the volatility within the world I believe we are herded to believe that particular jobs are more important and reflected by salary, a sad thought.
The measurement of salary, my solution, would be that our success measured by community happiness and overall well-being, utilitarianism at its core. The next question is how…
Here’s a thought. How about doctors get paid based on life expectancy rates increasing, a cure to the cold before the cold, the decrease of diagnosed “depression.” Lawyers to get paid based on less court cases and more solutions before even making it to a court room. A politician to get paid by the community’s success in reducing city debt, a decrease in crimes, and more income based on increasing business owners. Note, the examples listed are the same jobs that are considered of “importance,” but what about counselors, teachers, motivational speakers, and bloggers? Why are these jobs so undervalued, or at least paid less? What is it that within our society that we deem these as less? Last I knew, my future was dependent based on the nurturing as a kid (parental), but between the ages 5-18 where the 8 hours with my teachers who set the foundation to who I am today. Although this time I provide no solution, the exposure to the thought is just as important.
In the end, we collectively set social expectations, norms, trends, and beliefs. Let's seek past what it is we have grown accustomed to and expand our thoughts to a meaningful and life beyond what it is that have been expected from us, and instead to create our own philosophies based on merit and the future we want, and will strive to have.
