18 Lessons Boomers Learned in School That Didn’t Age Well
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School is not just books. We learn the world, we learn new skills, and we set out for the future. And the thing is, not everything we learned has held up. Some ideas even became outdated or deceptive in the face of our enlightened society.
The Pew Research Center recently reported that six in 10 Americans believe the education system needs to change to better prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Read on for lessons from the past that no longer hold true.
Everyone Needs to Learn Cursive
Cursive was a core part of boomer studies, but no longer. The Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted by 41 states, do not include cursive instruction, reflecting its decreasing relevance.
Digital literacy is displacing cursive. Cursive is an art, not a necessity, in an age of keyboards and computerized voices.
You’ll Always Need to Do Math by Hand
Math teachers would tell students that they didn’t take calculators everywhere. Today, there are nearly all smartphones equipped with calculators.
According to a study by PwC, 97% of U.S. adults own a cellphone, which means that hand-held math is now prevalent. The approach has changed as the educational focus is on teaching students how to apply mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios.
Trade Jobs Are for the Uneducated
Pursuing higher education was viewed as the only way to succeed, for decades, supplanting skilled labour. However, this perception is changing. Work in trades, such as electricians and plumbers, offers decent wages and stability, the Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us.
The value of trade jobs is becoming increasingly visible. These jobs are essential to society and can bring in high-earning income without student debt.
Social Security Will Be There for You
Social Security was drilled into boomers, who were told to take their retirement seriously. But nowadays, these sorts of benefits don’t seem to be sustainable.
The Social Security Administration estimated that tens of billions of dollars in trust funds would be gone by 2035 without legislation. The uncertainties around Social Security show the importance of having a diversified retirement plan.
Employers Will Take Care of You
It was believed that loyalty to one employer secured an entire life of work and pensions. The modern labor market, though, is often less stable.
According to a LinkedIn survey, millennials switch jobs more often, with an average tenure of just 2.8 years. Workplaces have evolved into a gig economy and remote jobs, which changed how people understand employment.
Homeownership is the Goal
Once upon a time, it was considered an economic achievement to own your own home, but now prices of houses make it impossible for the majority of young adults. According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time homebuyers are older on average, with many delaying purchases due to financial constraints.
Millennials and Gen Z care more about mobility and flexibility than home ownership. Although property ownership is still a good investment, it is no longer the universal goal.
The Only Careers Worth Pursuing are White-Collar
For many decades, office jobs were considered the best kind of work. But technology and shifting values have taught us that other jobs – creative, gig, or otherwise – can be just as valuable.
The Freelancers Union reports that one in three Americans is now part of the gig economy. The ever-changing labor market today pushes workers towards unconventional careers. Success now boils down to self-fulfillment and what one values as a job, not a job title.
Marriage Equals Stability
Marriage had been promoted for decades as an image of permanence, but society has changed. According to the Pew Research Center, marriage is declining, and people now live together without officially tying the knot.
Contemporary relationships put more emphasis on emotional bonds and co-operation than rigid traditional expectations. The concept of family is evolving to accommodate diverse lifestyles and preferences.
Men Work, Women Stay Home
Gender roles are radically different now. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women constitute nearly half of all workers and fewer than half are considered to be leaders.
The move towards gender equality has enabled women to take positions and assume leadership that they would otherwise never have had. Even men are finding careers in roles traditionally done by women, like caregiving and parenting.
All News Sources are Reliable
Baby Boomers were taught to trust all traditional media sources, but the news now requires analysis. According to the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report, half of all adults in the world worry about false information on the internet.
There is a lot of information online, hence the need to consume news with discernment. Good media literacy now involves fact-checking, cross-referencing, and assessing sources to get correct information.
You’ll Need Encyclopedias to Do Research
Researchers used to rely heavily on encyclopaedias, but ghe internet has changed how we access information. According to Internet World Stats, more than 4.9 billion people use the internet globally.
The internet offers a vast library of information through online databases, academic journals, and reputable websites. These sources provide comprehensive resources for any research topic. Students and professionals alike benefit from the speed and convenience of searching online.
Computers and Technology are Optional Skills
Computer skills used to be an option, but now digital literacy and the modern needs of the day make it mandatory. The World Economic Forum says 90% of jobs require digital skills.
Colleges are catering to this new reality, adding digital competencies to the curriculum. If students are equipped with these tools, they will be readt to meet the demands of today’s workplace.
History is Told From One Perspective
History classes used to harp on one view without respect for alternative opinions. But the movement for inclusive education is on the rise. The National Education Association advises the importance of teaching multiple perspectives to foster understanding and empathy.
In this way, students become better informed about what happened in history and how it affected other societies. Comprehensive education encourages a more precise, holistic view of history.
Credit Cards Should Be Avoided at All Costs
Credit was never an option except as a last resort, and it was best not to have credit. Nowadays, credit scores and credit lines are a necessity for financial stability. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, good credit scores can save you thousands of dollars in loans.
There is a need for responsible credit management which involves paying your bills on time, keeping credit card balances low, and regularly monitoring one’s credit report. Once you understand credit and its implications you are better placed to make informed financial decisions.
College is the Only Path to Success
Boomers were taught to pursue college education to the highest degree. Yet alternatives such as certifications and apprenticeships have proven to be just as competitive in the labor market.
30 million occupations earn more than the median wage without a bachelor’s degree, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education. These opportunities offer mobility and are accessible and cost-effective for anyone looking to further their career. Exploring uncharted paths can yield exciting, rewarding careers.
Retirement at 65 is a Given
Boomers always expected to retire at 65, but in this economy, working longer has become common. The Employee Benefit Research Institute reports that 45% of retirees expect to work part-time in retirement.
A sound retirement strategy involves consistent savings, investing wisely, and coming up with various streams of income. All these can be taken to secure a comfortable retirement, even if you are too young to quit work.
Stick to One Career for Life
It is common to see boomers who have followed a single path all their lives. A Gallup survey reveals that 21% of millennials have changed jobs within a year, showing a shift in mindset across these generations.
Being willing to change careers shows you have a desire for personal and professional fulfillment. Today’s workplace promotes endless flexibility. People pursue opportunities that align with their core values and interests, ensuring greater work satisfaction and engagement.
If It’s in a Textbook, It’s Correct
Textbooks alone have become obsolete as students are taught to think critically. One paper in the Journal of Political Science Education suggests that we teach students students how to find, evaluate sources, and verify information.
It is an important skill to have in the information overload of the modern world. Teaching curiosity and skepticism equips children to think about the world in a way that is thoughtful.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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