My friend has a relative in her early 60's who plans to go back to college to earn her Ph.D. She is retired and has no intention of going back to work. My friend thinks this is "ridiculous," a waste of money, and "stealing a seat" from a younger person who will use the degree. What are your thoughts on this matter?
2007-09-26 23:50:12 · 16 answers · asked by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
To Ray T: Check out "Writer's Market," to give you info on publication. We need more people like you in this world!
2007-09-27 05:02:42 · update #1
Well God love her. By all means she should go for the Ph. D. I am 79 just got a Doctor of Metaphysics and am working on a book based on "The Gospel of Thomas." I needed the degree to impress people who are impressed by peaces of paper. It will help get the book published.
2007-09-27 04:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by Ray T 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
drdr is correct, mostly I always suggest that people who want to be the police stay far far away from CJ as a major, as a few electives fine, but not as a major or even a minor. Any course of study that you are interested in will be good for begin a detective. Detectives are the last of the Generalists in the world. You have to know a little about a lot, how to find out more, how to separate the wheat from the chafe. So any college course work that helps you think critically is essential. If you want to be a detective in an area where there are lots of Spanish speakers, sure a knowledge of Spanish is good. Some parts of the east coast there are large number of Portuguese speakers. My area Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese and a couple of types of Chinese is useful. Other than to deal with a diplomat French is not useful on the streets of the US.
2016-04-06 03:25:13 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah! for her. She's not 'stealing' anything, she's earning it. I haven't had the money to go to college, but have taken 10 continuing education classes by paying as I go. If I ever can afford it, I will go for my degree. Nothing learned is ever wasted.
I have a newspaper clipping hanging over my desk about a lady that's 95 and got her college degree in May. When I think I'll never make it, she inspires me. You friend's relative will inspire others too.
2007-09-27 08:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by luvspbr2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think anyone who goes back to school should be applauded.
I really don't think she would be stealing a seat, my daughter had a class she needed full and she just waited a semester in the meantime took other classes she needed. I say good for her and go for the Ph.D. You know she may not go to work but any education you receive you use in one way or another.
2007-09-27 05:45:29 · answer #4 · answered by doxie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started college @ age 50 & wanted a BA. Illness put a stop to all that 32 credit hrs. away from goal.
If a person wants to go back to school, at any age for whatever reason, that is totally up to them. I wouldn't worry one bit about stealing a seat in a Ph.D program for they usually fit all that meet the quals.
2007-09-26 23:58:03 · answer #5 · answered by dragon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is admirable...as for stealing a seat...ridiculous! Truly age discrimination at its worst! We are never too old to learn, study, better ourselves. My mom went back to college at 64, not to earn a degree, but to study Literature...she had been an avid reader her entire life, was enthralled with what she learned. I see people completing HS degrees in their 70's..accomplishments that are major. Your friend seems to be very judgmental, comes from outer space, and , sorry to say this, sounds more than a little envious of another's goals. Good luck and peace, Goldwing.
2007-09-27 05:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her to go for it. I m 50 and studying for a degree in Asian Studies with a second major in History. Just because we are 50 or 60 years from our date of birth doesn't mean our brains stop!!! I for one LOVE to learn. It is one of the biggest thrills in life to learn something new!!!
I have a friend 60+ who got her degree in sociology. As a matter of fact sometimes more mature students are appreciated because we knuckle down and take things seriously. I am consistently achieving High Distinctions for my work while most young ones are content with a pass or credit.
Your friend should encourage her relative, good on her.
2007-09-27 02:50:51 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its a great idea and that education is never a waste, no matter what the age. I hadn't thought about the "stealing a seat" thing though. Is it a hard program to get into, limited admission?
2007-09-26 23:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by beach bum 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're never too old to get involved in scholarly pursuits. Having the PhD will give her a certain amount of pride not to mention knowledge. Besides, she may decide in the future to impart her knowledge to others by teaching part time , writing articles or books, or occasionally consulting. It doesn''t really matter however if she does anything with her PhD. Just achieving the goal is important.
2007-09-27 00:08:44 · answer #9 · answered by spirit dummy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is deluded and narrow minded. His or her mindset puts a time limit on when one should stop living. Someone in his/her sixties can easily take care of him/herself and live well in the eighties and possibly nineties. We live in the exercise, supplement, detox and juicing era. Folk are simply living longer.
The only one in college who is taking someone else's seat is the young mindless student who does drugs and drinks away four years of mom's and dad's hard earned money. Seniors have much healthier body because they were not raised on fast foods and imitation products. They did not live on cigarettes, beer, drugs, and fast living.
Many of the younger Americans are burnt out before the age of 30 with weak immune systems. There are far more young folk on anti-depressant than seniors.
Your friend is not a postive person with a panaramic view of life. He/she is fearful and has a slanted belief system. The brain is what keeps us young and healthy. If a senior enrolls in college, he/she is literally adding years to his/her life.
Maybe your friend is afraid that senior Americans will make better grades than he/she.
2007-09-27 00:13:09 · answer #10 · answered by shawnLacey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋