On hockey, education, and pushing back against the darkness

 

The Bruins won last night; when I went to bed, they were ahead by one, but that's never a sure bet. Glad to see they posted another goal. Some Boston team has to be stable--sure isn't the Sox or the Pats. And I don't follow basketball except in a very marginal, nodding acquaintance sort of way, so this is it, folks. Hockey season needs to carry the emotional weight this year, I think. The opposing team has a young player who scored first in the game--his very first professional, NHL goal. I think his parents were there to see it-- I would not take that away from him or them, ever. How cool. The thing is, this kid (and yes, a kid) is just 18 years old. But he's got heart, and he's not afraid-- both qualities of a young person his age. I mean, did he finish high school? I hope so. I hope the big guys let him sit with them at lunch.

So many kids are either rushing into adult life with gusto or resisting maturity like over-boiled brussels sprouts. Not much in between. Part of it is total ignorance of the pitfalls of adulting, I think, and the other part is a very real awareness that they are not done growing yet. In some ways, our culture has demanded a protracted adolescence of them, infantilizing them, but then holding them accountable the very second they move their tassel from one side to the other. They have awesome computer skills, but very little in the way of life skills, too often. And they are tired of school, even though many have barely engaged in the academic process. Instant gratification culture to the extreme: I want a job that pays six figures, but I don't want to work my way up or study or be patient enough to even fill out applications. Gah. 

On the other hand, I have students who are very committed to working in trades, which is fabulous. Someone has to fix the car, work in the woods, fix the HVAC, etc. Trades pay well for practical experience, and I'm glad they are doing the preparation for that sort of career. Others are going into nursing-- also, oddly, considered to be under the "trades" umbrella. We need nurses. Full stop. What breaks my heart is the number of kids who don't know what they want to study, so they choose "business." Why? Unless they already have a family business they will be working in, why? If they want to work their way through to a MBA, maybe they'll find a meaningful and lucrative position, but there are precious few general "business" jobs that pay anything much. It's too bad that it seems to be the catch-all default for those who should be declaring "undecided" on their applications. At least that would be honest. And they might get a chance to explore options before they get tracked-- but then, that's a little too close to a "liberal" education for a lot of their families. Business sounds sober and respectable, whereas a liberal arts education seems a little too "woke." Gah again.

So what am I doing with my work day? I've got a guest poet coming in to work with both of my classes. I'm pushing back against the darkness in any way I can. And guess what? I have seven students who are not mine who have asked to come sit in. Maybe there's hope yet.

Have a great day,

C