Education is seen as the golden ticket to a better life, however
this ticket is not being taken by many young individuals at the perfect age to
pursue higher education. For various reasons, students have no drive or
interest in the benefits of the institutions that surround them. In the
New York Times article “Bottom Line: How State Budget Cuts Affect Your
Education,” Sarah Brown demonstrates how state spending to universities has
dropped dramatically nationwide since 2008 and the numbers presented are
staggering; some universities are experiencing cuts of more than 50%. The
implications of what is happening here are dismal - spending cuts are “forcing
many public universities to lay off faculty and staff members, postpone in new
facilities and raise tuition fees.” Due to these massive reductions to funding
colleges and universities, education is becoming less available to the general
public due to increased cost. There seems to be no reasonable stance which
successfully argues that education should not be provided to all individuals in
a society. There is a plethora of research showing correlation between
educational attainment and quality of life; it should be common understanding
that education is no longer a privilege, but rather a right and a necessary
resource. Students must realize the potential that surrounds them and the
benefit that is provided by it.
Spending cuts and subsequent financial burdens are causing our
country and its citizens to experience a major issue - many students are having
education withheld from them due to the increasing cost of becoming educated.
Education is an invaluable tool in liberating the minds of individuals to an
elevated state of understanding and potential. It allows one to question and
analyze the various going-ons of the world and its inhabitants. Education
allows one to approach controversy and to form strongly validated, persuasive
views. When a nation’s citizens become educated, they see a general improvement
in quality of life and an improvement in their society. Education is of utmost
importance in enhancing the lives of the individual and for allowing a society
to develop and flourish.
Education is currently greatly privileged, with financial
burdens serving to be a limiting force for many potential students. The
ultimate tool to really increase the abundance of educational opportunities
begins at lowering if not removing entirely, the tuition of college and
treating it as a common good. Free college is not some mystical fantasy, as it
has indeed existed in the past and still does exist in small institutions
scattered across America. The notion of free college can only exist in the
public institutions, however, as the cost of tuition is remarkably lower than
that of private institutions.
Economic Growth and Stability
Many economists agree that education is directly correlated with
economic growth and stability. Countries thrive when their educational systems
thrive. In “Education and Economic Growth,” the authors greatly encourage
school reform in order to improve education because it strengthens national
economic competitiveness. They cite the National Commision on Excellence on
Education in stating that “in order to keep and improve on the slim competitive
edge we still retain in world markets, we must dedicate ourselves to the reform
of our educational system.” The improvement of educational stances in countries
promotes its economic standing and stability.
We can all understand that educated individuals bring in bigger
paychecks than those who are lacking in their education. But are we aware of
education’s true implications? George Schultz and Eric Hanushek write in the
Wall Street Journal that education has tremendous economic ramifications. The
more educated the citizens of a country are, the more likely their personal and
societal economies are to develop and succeed. Essentially, “educational
outcomes strongly affect economic growth and the distribution of income.”
According to economists at Harvard University, the 60% to 70% rise in
wage inequality is based on the degree of education for high school and college
graduates. Education benefits entire countries as well. Schultz and Hanushek
explain that the more educated the citizens of a country are the more the
country experiences economic growth. Both on personal and national levels,
education has been shown to increase economic growth and stability.
Happier and Healthier Lives
One of the most important benefits of education is how it
improves personal lives and helps societies run smoothly. We live longer,
fuller, and happier lives as learned and knowledgeable individuals. According
to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), educated
people are more actively involved in various societal activities such as
“voting, volunteering, political interest and interpersonal trust.” Knowledge
in many fields contributes to participating in these activities and events.
Education - the accumulated knowledge and abilities attained over years of
learning - makes people aware of what they are capable of, allowing them to
enhance their lives and contribute to the world at large. After spending many
years learning, people tend to feel happier and more content as they lead
educated lives. The knowledge students gather and skills they develop that stem
from their education allow them to participate in cultural and societal events
and activities. Consequently, education promotes fulfilling, fuller lifestyles.
Aside from improving day-by-day living,
educated individuals tend to live longer lives than their uneducated
counterparts. Education is essential in improving our lifestyles and overall
well-being because it makes us aware of what we know and what we can do. We
lead happier lives with the knowledge we accumulate and the skills we acquire
throughout our educational years. Happier people are healthier people; the life
expectancy of those who are educated is longer, on average, than those who are
lacking in their education. Improved mental, physical and emotional health can
all be attributed to education.. According to Michael Kruger and Ernest Abel in
the Psychological Reports journal, the rates of suicide for educated
individuals is far lower than their uneducated counterparts. Learned people
lead fuller, more meaningful lives and consequently have greater inspiration to
keep on living and to fulfill their life goals and dreams.
Societal Benefits - Unity and Trust
Society
as a whole benefits as a result of education. An educated community is a united
community. Education leads to feelings of “togetherness” and compatibility
within a society.