[AAACE-NLA] Schools as Entitlements

[Joshua Hayes]

Hi all,
    I have always assumed that the enforcement of compulsory education 
during and after the Great Depression was an attempt to both create an 
entitled category of "educated," and (less cynically) expand that group 
while simultaneously removing a large portion of the population out of the 
work force.  This applies specifically to teens (12-18) who would have 
worked for lower wages and had fewer responsibilities to support a nuclear 
family.  However, I think you see a real shift in the American value of 
education after WWII and moving through Vietnam.  The public opinion after 
the bombing of Hiroshima, the threat of nuclear annihilation, and continued 
draft put more emotional emphasis on education as a (safe) place for 
children.  The latter conflict specifically highlights the societal 
prejudice towards education in the exemption of college students from 
conscription.
    The period spanning WWII to Vietnam saw the American family change 
drastically.  Children contributed less monetarily and required more support 
as well as supervision.  Extended families became de-emphasized.  The value 
of work and wages came to relate to the parents ability to provide non-work 
opportunities to their children.  This directly affected the workers view of 
how how "safe" his/her family was.  The large number of women entering the 
workforce across this entire period, both voluntarily and involuntarily, 
shows the focus and reliance on parental income to expand children's 
opportunities.
    So when you ask a parent how good their local school system is, your are 
in effect asking them how well do they rate themselves in providing a safe 
and secure environment for their children.  It's not surprising that hard 
working people, of any income level, feel entitled to congratulate 
themselves (as well as the systems in their community).  Unfortunately, it's 
similar to the Helsinki Syndrome.  After enough time, people will defend and 
revere those people or systems which either fail or outright suppress them.

Joshua Craig Hayes
Adult Literacy Instructor
SEARCH Project
2505 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77002
713-739-7752 ext 135
http://www.searchproject.org

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