The Danger Of Telling Poor Kids Analysis

Decent Essays
In "The Danger of Telling Poor Kids That College Is the Key to Social Mobility" posted on The Atlantic on January 16, 2014, writer and teacher Andrew Simmons states his thoughts and ideas about higher education to the impoverished population and why it isn 't for poor kids. He recently had a high school student write an essay about what she wants to do with her future. She had been told, rather preached to, that if she, "made good grades and a ticket to a good college would lead to a good job, one that would guarantee her financial independence"(para. 2). He acknowledges the fact that "they don 't mean to suggest that there is no other point to higher education" (para 3), but he also argues the fact that they are told to go to college it 'll …show more content…
He says from one of his students, that “She’d been encouraged to think of college foremost as a path to socioeconomic mobility.” (para 2). He argues, this is not true for everyone. He is correct. In paragraph 3 it says, “Administrators, counselors, and teachers repeat again and again that a college degree will alleviate economic hardship”, it misleads many to believe that they won’t make it, or be successful, without a college degree, even though this is not what they mean at all. Another point that he makes is that, “most attend state schools” (para 5), but also he acknowledges the fact that most, “don’t necessarily understand its significance” (para 5). Kids will go to college due to the fact they are told to not because they want to and or have a reason to. They are just doing as they were taught to do by their teachers, counselors, and administrators as they progressed through high school. Students also don’t know what they will be facing when they choose a career, they don’t have an understanding of its inner workings. Andrew Simons declares, “Students hear that being a doctor is great because doctors make money, enjoy respect and have a great life. They don’t hear that being a doctor is great because doctors possess the expertise to do great things.” (para 9). I know in many ways college is good, for some, but college is not for everyone and it is dangerous to tell those who do not need to hear

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