Doorknobs and Snobs
My Grandmother was supposed to be in college at age 14 if it were not for the Japanese war. Still after serving in the army, getting married to a gorgeous senior officer (Granpa) and having a child (my mom) she still finished college. She received her doctorate from Penn state and died knowing how to speak in 7 languages fluently. With that to keep up with, I can honestly say she never liked my easy going attitude with school- I dropped out of college.
In every generation, education and its importance have not changed as people would like to believe. I do know that it is ones circumstance and choice that may block a person from pursuing a degree. The contrast of our Matriarch’s education from mine was brought about by two articles that show the alarming state of education and the deterioration of interest in knowing more than you can use in work or in life.
USA Today’s Craig Wilson did a piece on how not to be as dumb as a door knob and that knowledge was just there for the taking (read books!) and not exclusive to people with money. His take on it was honest and a wake up call for parents and teachers alike, the key to this is the extended time the library is opened to the public and the Library of Congress being open to students as young as 16 years old for research. Wilson clearly stated that the extent of education was a choice.
In contrast, BBC News on the Internet had an education top story titled “Working classes have lower IQ’s”. The headline felt like a kick in the gut since I am from the working class and have a career that requires creative thinking and analogy (IQ test components).
Dr. Bruce Charlton said “… a simple and vital fact has been missed: higher social classes have a significantly higher average IQ than lower social classes.”
I do find it bothersome that someone would find it a matter of social class. True that a better standing in life does get you perks: a tutor, a house wit a library, good food and certainty that you will live the next day. But I do not think that students coming from a working class family should be looked down upon as unworthy of a spot in a good school. If people in prestigious schools like from where Dr. Charleston is from share his snobbery then the future will just be full of bullies and snobs- from the higher class of society though.
Craig Wilson’s moves people more positively to the right direction with no reference to class, race or gender. While the Dr. Charleston really doesn’t give anyone much choice, you are born into a higher IQ or with a silver spoon in your mouth.
Again it all comes down to choices, like which line of thought would create a better change in society?