You know, it once was the case that only the cream of the crop in high schools went on to college. Now, every Joe Blow and his brother are expected to go on to higher education, whether they have the intellect and desire to do so or not.
Conversly, I remember my high school guidance counselor telling me almost 40 years ago NOT to join the military. She said “Only stupid people do that.” She said I needed to be in college because I was so smart (I am, but that’s another tale ;-)...
Pissed me off enough that I signed up the NEXT DAY.
So I spent 22 years in the USAF. Loved it. Learned so many different things. Got to go to college. It took me almost 20 years to earn my degree, but I did it. I could have gotten my degree sooner but I had other things to learn, places in the world to visit, and an important job helping defending OUR country (no thanks needed from you, Mrs Hill).
Now I teach at a University and am so often flabergasted by the stupidity and ignorance of these young kids. They think they’re smart but know nothing, and when confronted wih their ignorance laugh it off as if it was all a big joke anyway.
Maybe it is the ready access to “facts” from the Internet, but many wear their ignorance on their sleeves like a badge of honor.
Frankly, I’d be surprise if 7 out of 100 kids WANTED to learn, rather than get a sheepskin while partying and then an easy paychheck later.