I strongly agree with Christopher Boyle. He makes many statements about the lack of freedom in today’s society. Boyle calls today’s children “overprescribed” because of their lack of free time to play and the increase in standardized tests and homework. I attended a public school up until the end of middle school and even then I was continually given a large amount of homework. If children were allowed more free time to explore, they would have a much easier time discovering themselves.
I was saddened when Boyle made the statement that “It is hard to convince young people who have little firsthand experience with freedom…that it is a legitimate aspiration” because of the truth it contains. Reading Boyle’s article made me realize that many of my friends and I go through life doing things we feel are expected. Whether that means wearing certain clothes or going to college. Even though someone may not want to do the things they are doing, they feel they are required to.
Later in the article when Boyle talks about his friends on the football team that showed up with guns they had used for hunting my mouth literally dropped. I could not believe that this was ever allowed. The changes in the expectations of people in today’s society have greatly affected the mindset of the people. Boyle comments on increased problems now that more restrictions are placed on people. I honestly feel throughout this article Boyle was right on target, and that with fewer restrictions people would be more likely to pursue their own dreams because they would feel unchained from today’s “prescriptions”.
Dear Kayla, though you are very intelligent I disagree with some of your generalizations. Firstly, I do not know what public middle school you went to, but at Portsmouth Middle we did not have any homework at all. The homework which was prescribed was a maximum of 20 minutes; I literally did all of it on the bus. It was quite simple and easy, since it was public school. In middle school, I was able to relax and find my true hobbies because of the fact that I could have so much free time. I do agree with you, children need more free time. With technology and the hefty amount of homework given (especially in English class), we children do not have time to pursue our hobbies. With sports afterschool until 5, I barely have enough time to eat dinner and finish homework before 10 (if I am lucky). Because of all of this homework, I am unable to enjoy myself and find my true passions. I am unable to read the books I wish to (though “1984” is an enjoyable novel, I would rather pursue my own interests). It is truly sad, because I cannot pursue these interests, but at the same time I am happy I am given an intellectually challenging and rigorous curriculum.
I do agree that we do a lot of things that occur are out of obligation. Whether it is looking cool or acting cool, our society has brought upon us stringent guides in which we need to succeed in society. It truly is a shame that humans are forced to waste their time being focused on being popular instead of being themselves, but it is something society wants us to do. It is truly unfortunate, but I hope that eventually we will be able to break the cycle.
Posted by: Wrichtmyer | 03/13/2011 at 02:36 PM