How many of us went off to University for no other reason than the idea that it's just what you're supposed to do after high school? How many of us chose a career path rather arbitrarily and based it off of the salary we would receive and the complementary benefits. The education process should be a method for figuring out a path for one's life that is aligned with their talents, strengths, values, passions, and dreams, but it's not. Instead, it's a method of conforming our youth so that they grow up to not only be like everyone else, but actually aspire to be that way.
The saddest part about it is that much of the harm is being done to children by the people who are closest to them; their parents. I understand that parents love their children and want the best for them, but it's simply not fair to tell your child how to live. Its their life, not yours, and you have to let them live it the way that they choose to.
To be frank I believe that adults need to admit the damage that they're doing to our children. This conformist way of thinking is actually detrimental. It's producing a society where many people are unhappy with their lives and at the same time have no idea what to do about it. It needs to stop. It's hard to undo the damage once we reach adulthood, so the process of wrongdoing has to be identified early on and corrected. These kids are a million times more intelligent than you give them credit for. Give them an environment that is conducive to learning, love them, and let them flourish. If we promoted freethinking, true learning, and true education, it would do more for our society than any political policy.
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
We live in a society where people are being judged on the wrong abilities. I truly believe we all carry genius with us in one-way or another. Lets create an environment collectively that allows people to contribute in their own unique way. This is the only way to repair the damage we've done.
