Why I Dislike the Word "Potential"

There is a measure on our November ballot that will supposedly ensure extra money for vocational school, science classes, and the like. I say supposedly because you never know exactly where the money is going on with these things, but that is what this measure purports.

I am all for vocational school because I don't think that everyone is destined to go to college.

I can hear the collective gasp from the idealists at this very moment.

No, they will say, every child has the potential to be an A student and attend Harvard, if only given the right circumstances. Hubba-hubba and I have had the discussion many times that all children are capable of being A students. I disagree, while he feels everyone has the potential.

And therein lies the rub.

Let's just say for the sake of argument that all children are raised in a home where the parents care about their education and push them to acheive. Let's just say for the sake of same argument that all children are given a quality education. We all know that isn't possible in today's world, but let's just pretend.

I still don't think each child is suited for college and that vocational schools offer an excellent opportunity for those so inclined to master a skill and still be able to earn a solid living.

But even if a child has "potential" why would that immediately make them college material? Why could they not become a skilled laborer? When did there become a stigma attatched to blue collar work? Why do some people consider it a "waste?" If that person is happy in their choice of work, why shouldn't we be happy for them? If they are unhappy, different story.

Honest work is honest work, and it is far more difficult, if not impossible, to outsource a plumber. Having a plumber in another country is a bit inconvienient when your bathroom is flooding. Or when your car won't work.

I mean, have you seen what plumbers charge? Hubba-hubba has a friend who is a plumber, and let me tell you, he is making more money than quite a lot of people. Anyone who's ever had to call one during off hours can attest to that.

So, I am going to vote to support extra money for vocational schools. I believe they are a viable, oft-overlooked option for those who wish to pursue a different, albeit just as viable, path to success. Success is making those skills you have work for you, and that is true whether you crunch numbers for a living, or if you know how to wire a house for electricity. Both are equally important in my book.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Onward

The end of the school year, finally! Did I tell you that my son went to public school this past year? Did I tell you that my daughter was in a regular Kinder classroom this year? Although it was nice to have them both in school, there were definitely things I was not so hip on, such as having to wake up at 5:20 every morning just to get everyone out the door on time.  And then after all the driving and dropping off, going to work. Such fun! I had forgotten the dreariness of having to complete mounds and mounds of homework (even though new research has shown that homework, especially for Kinder, is for shit).  Of constant deadlines and fundraisers and things I am supposed to volunteer for. My daughter had a good year, but was definitely not without its bumps. Her teacher, an older, highly experienced, practical woman with a Master's in Education, kept referring to my daughter as an "inclusion student."  It wasn't her name or just "student" but was...
Read more

Apples and Oranges

Perhaps some of you may have noticed, but the real estate market is beginning a tumble in prices that benefit us, prospective buyers. And we're going to wait. That is cold, cold comfort to those such as J and Py , who are attempting to sell their place as we speak. But, we're not going to wait too much longer, if that makes them feel any better. There is no sense trying to time the bottom of the market, and we have been putting off moving, oh, since Mr. P was born because of the huge runup in prices. So huge that at one point, we could barely afford to buy our own place from ourselves. We should be ok even if we sell at a lower price than we could have gotten say, two years ago. We have, however, a dilemma. We have narrowed our choices down to two cities. And we are stuck there. We just can't figure out which city is better, and they are oh-so-different. Let me give you a rundown. City 1 Older, smaller houses (in our price range) Larger lots Beach city Infrastructure...
Read more

D-A-N-G

As with all young children, for a very long time we parents rely on the old "spell the word out" trick for talking about things in front of them that we don't want them to know. Well, our time seems just about up. Hubba-hubba was trying to tell me about an upcoming event in which Santa would be making an appearance. As Mr. P is very much into Christmas this year, we knew that any mention of Santa would bring a long soliliquoy about how Santa is magic and how he makes the toys and how he has a list and on and on and on. And at that moment, we just didn't feel like hearing it. Don't judge people, don't judge. So, Hubba-hubba spelled out "S-A-N-T-A." "Hey, what did you just say?" said the five year old. "Nothing" lied replied his father. "I know what you said, Daddy! You said Santa!" Anybody know a place that sells semaphore flags?
Read more