Anna Kasagawa
September 23rd, 2014
English 1
Bryn Gravitt
TITLE
Education is a privilege that shapes peoples opinions and thoughts. Thus, the choices surrounding one’s education are important enough that it is said to determine their happiness. In “The Tyranny of Choice,” Barry Schwartz argues that there is too much freedom of choice at college, which overwhelms students; on the other hand, John Taylor Gatto argues the opposite in “Against School,” claiming that there is too little freedom of choice in secondary education for students to be happy. However, the evidence that both authors use reveal that it is not the amount of choices, but that the expectations behind the choices that determine happiness.
Schwartz argues that having too …show more content…
I think that when presented with a wide variety of options, it is in fact overwhelming, but it is not so much the sheer quantity of options that keeps you from buying, but rather the fear of making the wrong decision. Each type of jam has a unique trait, and by picking one, you feel as though you are missing out on the other types of jam. This fear is not specific to picking jams, but also on major decisions such as declaring a major. Schwartz claims that students are not capable of picking the “right” major, because they are overwhelmed with the variety of majors. However, it is not the number of options, but again the fear of picking the wrong major that overwhelms …show more content…
This pressure causes a fear during the decision making process, that overwhelms and upsets students. In countries such as Japan, there are fewer options available for majors and students must choose their path earlier on during secondary school. This does not mean that the students in Japan are happier than those in the United States because having fewer options makes it easier to declare a major. The same pressure of meeting the societal expectation to ensure success exists; even if you change the number of options, the result is the same as students are stressed out everywhere. People will agonize over declaring a major because of this pressure regarding their future, and only be a little agitated to pick a jam because there is only your personal fear of missing out on other jams when you are shopping. I agree with Schwartz that having many options makes decision-making difficult and stressful, but it is not the quantity of options, but the cultural pressure and expectations that lie behind the decision that affect people’s emotional
September 23rd, 2014
English 1
Bryn Gravitt
TITLE
Education is a privilege that shapes peoples opinions and thoughts. Thus, the choices surrounding one’s education are important enough that it is said to determine their happiness. In “The Tyranny of Choice,” Barry Schwartz argues that there is too much freedom of choice at college, which overwhelms students; on the other hand, John Taylor Gatto argues the opposite in “Against School,” claiming that there is too little freedom of choice in secondary education for students to be happy. However, the evidence that both authors use reveal that it is not the amount of choices, but that the expectations behind the choices that determine happiness.
Schwartz argues that having too …show more content…
I think that when presented with a wide variety of options, it is in fact overwhelming, but it is not so much the sheer quantity of options that keeps you from buying, but rather the fear of making the wrong decision. Each type of jam has a unique trait, and by picking one, you feel as though you are missing out on the other types of jam. This fear is not specific to picking jams, but also on major decisions such as declaring a major. Schwartz claims that students are not capable of picking the “right” major, because they are overwhelmed with the variety of majors. However, it is not the number of options, but again the fear of picking the wrong major that overwhelms …show more content…
This pressure causes a fear during the decision making process, that overwhelms and upsets students. In countries such as Japan, there are fewer options available for majors and students must choose their path earlier on during secondary school. This does not mean that the students in Japan are happier than those in the United States because having fewer options makes it easier to declare a major. The same pressure of meeting the societal expectation to ensure success exists; even if you change the number of options, the result is the same as students are stressed out everywhere. People will agonize over declaring a major because of this pressure regarding their future, and only be a little agitated to pick a jam because there is only your personal fear of missing out on other jams when you are shopping. I agree with Schwartz that having many options makes decision-making difficult and stressful, but it is not the quantity of options, but the cultural pressure and expectations that lie behind the decision that affect people’s emotional