Only 29% of Americans have a college education. Is that pathetic?

Question

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2005-02-02-college-cover_x.htm

This is what happens when we live in a society that basis its values on arcadic, agrarian society values like procreating like the world is about to end and worshipping false gods. Instead of a society base on math, science, the arts and culture (only 18% of Americans have a passport) .

What do you think?

Answer 1

going to college has a lot to do with MONEY. i think if it was more affordable and your average american could EASILY afford college (meaning you wouldnt be strapping yourself to go) a lot more people would further their education. anyone can make it happen if thats what they really want, but its a lot harder to make ends meet for some people than it is others.

the same with travel. your average american doesnt have the money to just go to any random country when he feels like it. its a great thing for those who can, but its not the norm.

and lastly, if a person really just wants to be a farmer in life, who's to say he's "pathetic"? the guy just wants something different from life than you or I.

also, did you mean "archaic" values? and i'd very much like it if you could prove (with math and science) which god/gods are true and weed out the false ones. that'd help everyone out a lot worldwide.

Answer 2

Here's my story and I'll let you decide if me not having a college education is pathetic:

When I started college in the early 90s, no relative would help me apply for financial aid or grants. I couldn't do it by myself (only 17). Even though I got no help from my parents financially, I wasn't eligible for anything because my father made too much money. I'm sure not being a minority hurt me too. A year into school, I got sick (like needing surgery sick) and didn't have insurance but again, I was just under 18, my parents were responsible and I couldn't do anything other than learn to type, get a job and get my own medical insurance. Once I finally got myself better and more settled (7 years later), I went to register at a different school in another state and was told the year's worth credits I had no longer counted because I was out of school longer than 6 years. So I had to start all over again. I am now 34 years old and still am only halfway to my goal. My husband (who is a highly educated avionics engineer with a Masters - literally a rocket scientist) - supports my going back to school until I'm 90 if that's what it takes. Now it's a personal goal, not a professional goal. I postponed taking classes for a while because I got sick again, needed 4 more surgeries and then had my son. I guarantee you I am more intelligent than half of those 29% of Americans who have completed college and way less ignorant than people such as yourself. Not everything is black and white.

Answer 3

well I am one of those 29% woohooo! lol well I am a mother of 3 and am 25 and going to college so procreating doesnt really make a difference it just depends on the person I figure the only way to support my kids good financially is to get an education, I graduated from High school with a 1 1/2 year old and I wll graduate from college with a 10 year old a 5 yr old and a 3 1/2 year old its hard as hell but I love it! It gives me sanity and sets a good example for my children. It just depends on what you want in life and there is alot of educated people out there without schooling they are educated in many things that you and I are not for example I am educated with schooling and with personal greif and triumph I come from a somewhat unstable life and have had a lot of death in my life it just depends on the person.

Answer 4

There are so many jobs out there today that will train you - I am always looking in the paper at the jobs that are availaible, and I am always seeing "will train". I'm not saying that a college education isn't important - because it is - but it isn't needed as much as we believe. There good jobs out there without having to go to college. My fiance is an interior/exterior painter. He doesn't even have his highschool diploma or GED - he brings home an average of $3,500/month - of not more.

Also, I have to agree with the others. College is so expensive these days! And financial aid is hard to get. I think the community college where I live is up $30/unit. How ridiculous is that?! What 18 year old who doesn't have help from their parents can afford that? There's always student loans - but what 18 year old wants a loan debt? At that age they are so scared of screwing up their credit, they don't want to chance not being to pay on it.

Answer 5

I don't think is necessarily as pathetic as others may think. I went all the way through the school system because the career path I wanted required it.

However, my brother went to a technical school and a couple of my sisters went to life for their training and none of us are better off than each other.

In fact, there isn't even a lot of discrepancy between our individual salaries.

I think there are a lot of college graduates who have peers who are just as successful that didn't complete a college education.

On occasion, because I enjoy it, I babysit for a couple who have no college education but both of which are Publix grocery store managers. They make a good living, own a beautiful house, have 3 fabulous children and have no college loan debts. I think they have it made.

Answer 6

I honestly don't think so. There are plenty of careers and businesses you can get into that don't require college. Some of us started families real early and just got thrown into the corporate world and did not have a choice of going to college. So, no, I don't think so. Don't get me started on the passport issue, I've tried and have problems with the state and am writing a book about it. But quite honestly, people are working so hard, they don't have time to enjoy leaving the country and probably never will. Jennifer

Answer 7

no there are plenty of people who dont have a college education that are doing things that they love and jobs that need to be done...and there are people who want to go to college that are unable because of family and other responsibilities....
just because you feel that people should see the world and quit having babies doesnt mean thats the way everyone else feels...children bring people more joy than a college education will...
oh and by the way...the farmers that grow your food, the people that fix that car you drive around, the welders and construction workers that fix build your shelter...they dont have degrees..what would you do without them?? and how about that teenage mother thats "procreating like the world is about to end" who had a baby that will become a doctor....quit being so judgemental just because people have a degree doesnt make them better than others...
and by the way...im a junior in college

Answer 8

I must comment on the passport thing. (I have an advanced degree myself so I can't disagree with that). Unlike Europe and most of the other advanced nations in the world, the U.S. is surrounded by water and in order to travel outside of the country it requires a plane. In Europe travel is much easier by car or train. I have money to travel and would like to but it's a big hassle. Not to mention that this country is very big and has a lot to offer. My ancestors risked their lives to come here and I owe it to them to see this country before I go schlepping back across the Atlantic to see the place they ran away from.

Answer 9

I think you are right. The government makes it very impossible to further your education. All they want is money. I wonder what they are going to do when people cannot take classes. Who will THEY hire. I figure it will all back fire back on them but in the long run we all do suffer.

Answer 10

I think that's realistic... Not everyone is giving the same opportunity to go to college, especially if the parents are not college educated.