Sadly, academia itself might suffer from such hubris, bestowing knowledge with the intent to educate generation after generation but sometimes failing at preparing students for “real life”.
Is one considered sufficiently educated if one can master algebra, advanced calculus, Newton’s laws of motion, the five stages of mitosis, or what a future participle is?
There’s no denying that in some circles and careers, they indisputably are. But on an absolute basic level of preparation, functioning, and surviving as a young adult, perhaps other lessons may be more worthy of discussion.
Here are three other lessons to consider:
1. Financial literacy
2. Sex education
3. Basic contract law
‘It’s not how much you make; it’s how much you save’
Schools map out a goal of imparting students with the skill sets necessary to gain employment, establish a career, and pursue financial mobility.
While making money is essential, not learning how to keep it or grow it could result in one losing some, if not all of it.
Understanding the basics of financial literacy can mean the difference between a comfortable retirement or financial ruin.
Learning the difference between good and bad credit, how credit cards work, the consequences of late payments, the costs of compound interest, budgeting, investing, and the impact of credit scores on qualifying for loans like a home mortgage, are arguably essential skill sets that are currently not part of the curriculum.
‘I pee from there’
Regardless where one stands on morality, both the concepts of abstinence and safe sex should be a conversation not left in the hands of the less informed peers of youths or worse still, the internet.
With the abundance of experts and resources available, and the responsibility of protecting and educating future generations, more emphasis should be placed on the sexual health education of both genders.
As such there should be education on the responsibilities and realities of planned/unplanned parenthood, sexually transmitted diseases, consent, child grooming and how to prevent becoming the victim of child grooming.
With teen pregnancies, sexual harrassment, and assaults a daily reality and threat faced by youths, perhaps the status quo of simply avoiding these conversations should be revisited.
‘Just sign right here’
In an age of apps with terms and agreements that are generally scrolled through, left unread, and quickly bound by the “I agree” button, the lackadaisical approach to contracts can be detrimental to real life decisions with more serious consequences.
Everything from an internet connection, cell phone plan, car loan, or home rental agreement comes with a legally binding contract.
Understanding basic contract law and knowing the penalties of breaking them will save young adults the pain of experiencing financial loss or entering decisions that may not always be in their best interest.
This awareness will also help reduce the incidences of fraud caused by highlighting the legal and financial ramifications of taking responsibility for a third party’s obligations by co-signing or applying for something on their behalf (like a mule bank account frequently used by scammers).
Although the onus to equip youths with these life skills cannot solely lie with any learning institution, perhaps having conversations and identifying these gaps today before they become the problems of tomorrow, is a good start towards offering future generations the best chances of surviving the real world.
Reg is a walking quadriplegic (OKU), digital business consultant, medical cannabis advocate, and cryptocurrency enthusiast. Follow his journey at regching.com