The Prevalence of Social Darwinism Rears its Ugly Head
November 17, 2004
Talking to my mom today, I was reminded just how prevalent the Social Darwinism model of success still is in everyday society. As a student in my sixth year of university working towards the completion of a five-year degree, many people are becoming skeptical of my abilities.
For starters, when I first mentioned the idea that I would be taking an extra year of university, my parents automatically assumed it was because I had slacked off somewhere in the last five years. When I tried to explain that this decision in no way reflected my degree of commitment, they just laughed and told me to tell the truth. I know they assumed there was some degree of backsliding that I had to make up for (whether it was my own fault, due to peer pressure, or caused by the spell of some guy). The truth of the matter was, through trial and error, I had determined I could achieve better grades if I took four classes instead of five (especially if my semester included French or chemistry classes-which are the subjects I chose to focus on for my degree). Instead of forcing myself to take five classes and rush through to the finish line like most people only to receive mediocre grades, I decided finishing at my own pace with grades I was proud of would be more of an accomplishment. To this day, I don’t think my parents full believe the motive behind my actions.
To top it all off, many of my past teachers (most of which marveled at my abilities), are starting to also question why I am not finished my degree. These teachers are all fully aware of when I graduated from high school, and know how long I’ve been in university. In fact, many of these teachers expressed a desire for me to take their jobs once I graduated. That only applies however, if I decide to go back to my hometown. After hearing about the conversations they’ve had with my mother, I honestly think they are starting to plant seeds of doubt in regards to my ability. For some reason, they see taking longer to finish a degree as a negative thing. They fail to see that an extra year of courses gives me a more diverse background, and that I can demand a hire starting salary due to me level of education. I admit that it would have been ideal to graduate with my friends, and already be a full-time member of the workforce, but if it didn’t turn out that way, why does everyone assume the worst? Ultimately this clearly developed attitude is going to cast a shadow over my PS3 placement, which I have to do closer to home due to lack of funds. I will definitely have a lot to prove to some of these teachers that think I’ve become a slacker or something, and that’s added pressure I didn’t count on facing.
Talking to my mom today, I was reminded just how prevalent the Social Darwinism model of success still is in everyday society. As a student in my sixth year of university working towards the completion of a five-year degree, many people are becoming skeptical of my abilities.
For starters, when I first mentioned the idea that I would be taking an extra year of university, my parents automatically assumed it was because I had slacked off somewhere in the last five years. When I tried to explain that this decision in no way reflected my degree of commitment, they just laughed and told me to tell the truth. I know they assumed there was some degree of backsliding that I had to make up for (whether it was my own fault, due to peer pressure, or caused by the spell of some guy). The truth of the matter was, through trial and error, I had determined I could achieve better grades if I took four classes instead of five (especially if my semester included French or chemistry classes-which are the subjects I chose to focus on for my degree). Instead of forcing myself to take five classes and rush through to the finish line like most people only to receive mediocre grades, I decided finishing at my own pace with grades I was proud of would be more of an accomplishment. To this day, I don’t think my parents full believe the motive behind my actions.
To top it all off, many of my past teachers (most of which marveled at my abilities), are starting to also question why I am not finished my degree. These teachers are all fully aware of when I graduated from high school, and know how long I’ve been in university. In fact, many of these teachers expressed a desire for me to take their jobs once I graduated. That only applies however, if I decide to go back to my hometown. After hearing about the conversations they’ve had with my mother, I honestly think they are starting to plant seeds of doubt in regards to my ability. For some reason, they see taking longer to finish a degree as a negative thing. They fail to see that an extra year of courses gives me a more diverse background, and that I can demand a hire starting salary due to me level of education. I admit that it would have been ideal to graduate with my friends, and already be a full-time member of the workforce, but if it didn’t turn out that way, why does everyone assume the worst? Ultimately this clearly developed attitude is going to cast a shadow over my PS3 placement, which I have to do closer to home due to lack of funds. I will definitely have a lot to prove to some of these teachers that think I’ve become a slacker or something, and that’s added pressure I didn’t count on facing.
posted by Chantelle @ 11:07 PM
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