Boyinaband Dont stay in school discussion

[Goth Barbie]

Dont stay in school

'Dont stay in school' was a song written by Dave Brown from Boyinaband about the education system and its problems as it stands now. For example, children are taught things that they may not need to learn to for their future life. Children should have the choice to learn things such as Algebra, history and so forth.
The song is very powerful and in the song he highlights a lot of the problems with education today. So, I wanted so see what everyone else here thought of the song and message. The lyrics are as follows;

I wasn’t taught how to get a job
but I can remember dissecting a frog
I wasn’t taught how to pay tax
but I know loads about Shakespeare's classics

I was never taught how to vote
they devoted that time to defining isotopes
I wasn’t taught how to look after my health
but mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

Never spent a lesson on current events
instead I studied The Old American West
I was never taught what laws there are.
I was never taught what laws there are.

Let me repeat - I was not taught the laws for the country I live in,
but I know how Henry the VIII killed his women.
Divorced beheaded died, divorced beheaded survived
glad that’s in my head instead of financial advice

I was shown the wavelengths of different hues of light
but I was never taught my human rights
Apparently there’s 30, do you know them? I don’t
Why the hell can’t we both recite them by rote?!

I know igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
Yet I don’t know squat about trading stocks
Or how money works at all - where does it come from?
Who controls it? How does the thing that motivates the world function?

not taught how to budget and disburse my earnings
I was too busy rehearsing cursive.
Didn’t learn how much it costs to raise a kid or what an affidavit is
but I spent days on what the quadratic equation is

negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared
minus 4ac over 2a
That’s insane, that’s absolutely insane.
They made me learn that over basic first aid

How to recognise the most deadly Mental disorders // or
diseases with preventable causes // How to buy a
house with a mortgage // if I could afford it
‘cause abstract maths was deemed more important

than advice that would literally save thousands of lives
but it’s cool, ‘cause now I could tell you if the number of unnecessary deaths caused by that choice was prime.

Never taught present day practical medicines,
but I was told what the ancient hippocratic method is
“I’ve got a headache, the pain is ceaseless
what should I take?” umm... maybe try some leeches?

“Could we discuss domestic abuse and get the facts
or how to help my depressed friend with their mental state?”
Ummm... no but learn mental maths
because “you won’t have a calculator with you every day!”

They say it’s not the kids, the parents are the problem
Then if you taught the kids to parent that’s the problem solved then!
All this advice about using a condom
but none for when you actually have a kid when you want one

I’m only fluent in this language, for serious?
The rest of the world speaks two, do you think I’m an idiot?
They chose the solar over the political system
So like a typical citizen now I don’t know what I’m voting on

which policies exist, or how to make them change
mais oui, je parle un peu de Francais
So at 18, I was expected to elect a representative
For a system I had never ever ever ever been presented with

But I won’t take it
I’ll tell everyone my childhood was wasted
I’ll share it everywhere how I was “educated”
And insist these pointless things
#DontStayInSchool

So, what do you think?

[Goostarion]

Considering this is primarily a children website and that this is something directed at children, I believe this isn't the right message for this to be sending out, especially on CS and especially out in the open like this.

[Goth Barbie]

The education system is an important and interesting topic to discuss, and I know of teens that play this game that would have an opinion about this sort of thing. There is nothing that young children shouldn't know here, it is a discussion about something that will directly affect them in the future.

Edit;
Also, the messaged being communicated here is not that people should not go to school or not learn intellectual things such as maths, but that it should be choice to a certain degree. The message is that people should be allowed, within reason, to learn what they enjoy, and what will be needed in their future life.

[Hellagia]

Considering I'm basically a cashier/glorified janitor and still have use for algebra, history and sciences, I can't say I agree.
Then again, I do think I'm a bit of a geek as my favourite book is literally about the number Zero (its history and impact on math, science, art, religion, oh by the singularity that book is awesome. Read it five times.)
Though I do think consumer math should be a priority. It wasn't when I was in school... (Granted that's been a while, it shows how math is used, aka percentage and fraction math for taxes, which is one of the lines from your dear song there.)

[Goth Barbie]

Considering I'm basically a cashier/glorified janitor and still have use for algebra, history and sciences, I can't say I agree.
Then again, I do think I'm a bit of a geek as my favourite book is literally about the number Zero (its history and impact on math, science, art, religion, oh by the singularity that book is awesome. Read it five times.)
Though I do think consumer math should be a priority. It wasn't when I was in school... (Granted that's been a while, it shows how math is used, aka percentage and fraction math for taxes, which is one of the lines from your dear song there.)

I agree with you on that one, as I use a lot of the subjects you mentioned in my job too, but i do think that they should be optional to some degree.:3

[Birchii]

I agree with this song so much. The message of the song (as Dave states in two of his other videos about the song and at the end of the actual song itself) is that any subject that isn't practically useful shouldn't be mandatory. Yes, it should most definitely be available for students to choose, but forcing people to do a subject they don't find interesting or helpful to their aims in life seems wrong to me. Obviously there are subjects that are mandatory for a certain number of years to give you the foundations of them, an all-round general knowledge of things and also as a introduction to them, should you want to delve deeper into the topic, but I feel that being forced to learn subjects in such great detail in a certain way isn't good for students. Like Maths, for example. When am I genuinely going to use the Sine Rule or Cosine Rule in my life after my exams? I realise there are exceptions to things like this depending on your job, but for the majority of people, things like the Sine Rule are only taught because they appear on the exam, and nowhere else in my life.

Another point I love so much is not only do students have to learn certain subjects, but that we aren't taught so many valuable topics and subjects that will affect us daily. Taxes, buying a house/car, finding a job/interviews, first aid/emergency situation skills, raising a child when you want one, different sexualities and genders, mental health issues, laws and political parties, so on so forth. Taking my school for example, the only time I have ever been taught 'sex education' type of things is in Biology (heterosexual "here's how a baby is made'") and a pretty much useless 2-hour workshop ("homosexual is also a thing" and "condoms and the pill are the only contraception stuff you need to hear about!"). Surely we should be taught about our own human rights.

And I've seen many people say "oh but that's what google is for, looking up stuff for yourself" and "your parents should teach you these things". I would much rather have a qualified teacher or instructor tell me the correct and accurate information about topics like laws and sexualities, as opposed to my parents, who may be biased, busy, misinformed or, in some cases, I may not have any. Why should we not google the Sine Rule if we want to know that instead, rather than having to find out what a bisexual is through google? Surely it makes logical sense for the topic that we will interact with most frequently should be taught in schools?

Education and schooling systems were the solution to ignorance about life, so if the problem is still there, surely the solution is not working and needs to be changed?


Also, Dave is a glorious youtuber with the most fabulous hair ever, my gosh <3

[Hellagia]

Oh definitely optional. Maybe save some of the stupidly complex math stuff for a college degree in engineering or some such. Basic biology and not "mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell" unless you're going to college for a degree in some sort of science. Then there'd be lots more room and time to learn things that you'd actually need.

...

Now that I think about it... I did have two classes that helped with interviews and resumes. But one was a college level speech class, and the other was a college level writing class.
...
Why on earth are those classes in college and not highschool? Isn't that backwards? o_O

[Burrito Bunny]

While you may not need to write down those algebra equations in your day to day life there is still a reason for them. All those subjects teach you how to problem solve and think, even if you don't realize it. All the common core subject (Math, Language Arts, Science, and History) are important to teaching you the basics. None of them should be optional in my opinion, and I know people will probably disagree. History tells you about the past: why things are the way they are. You want to know how your legal system works? Pay attention in class, I bet you it will be covered at some point. Or, find out for yourself by going online. Language Arts is important too: guess what skill we are using right now? We are typing, writing, and comprehending. Shakespeare is teaching you how you can understand things like your country's constitution or other old-english documents. Math teaches you how to problem solve. Algebra is needed in order for you to problem solve, to even be able to think about certain ways of problem solving. And science: one of the most useful of subjects. It teaches you the understanding of how the body works, how to cook, how the Earth works. One could argue it doesn't matter, but they are not applying the information to their lives correctly. Plus first-aid can easily be learn through science. Not to mention, how will you understand what your prescriptions or medicines are doing to you without knowledge of science?

Do you know how uncertain most young people are about what they want to be? If schooling is optional do you know how many regrets people will have. Imagine a class you didn't take when you were 13 because you 'didn't feel like it' closing off an entire field of job options unless you went to school for another 8+ years to catch up? Even then you will never be as good at what ever it is that someone who took the class when they were young: children learn better than adults. I think that giving kids that much power over their lives at such a young age would be disastrous.

At one point the author complains about knowing only one language, yet the purpose of this song was not to learn pointless things, was it not? Many people will never need to speak another language, and if the rest of his points stand why should they have to learn something they don't have to use. Say you live smack dab in the center of the U.S. The chances you will need to speak to some one in a different language is slim compared to some one who lives in a small European country. Think about the borders with other countries. The U.S. has two (Mexico and Canada), one of them already has English as a primary language. Do I really need to know another one? If I follow the theme of the rest of the song, then it would seem not. Yet almost every high school/middle school offers at least one other language, so why didn't he chose to learn one early on so that he could become fluent if that's what he wanted? Language is another one of those subjects: it's hard to catch up if you start too late. Most mid-high end colleges these days look for at least three years of foreign language experience, surely that is enough to hold up a conversation (It is if you tried in the classes, trust me. I've gone through it.)

And I must point this out: my public school has a MANDATORY first-aid class and economics class. I know some schools may not have those options available, but some certainly do. I guess the author wasn't as fortunate. But, schools are really poor right now, or at least most of them. Most can't afford those classes when people who can customize their schedules never chose to take them. Also, our school had current event discussions all the time. We covered different sexualities, racism, sexism, the whole bit.

Education is a two way street. You get what you put into to it. If you seek it out you can get the end result you want. If you are passive about it and just take the bare minimum of classes you will have quite a wake up call at some point. If your school doesn't offer the classes do something about it. Help yourself. Find a private teacher if you need to. While some schools could be improved your education shouldn't suffer while you're waiting for something that people aren't willing to do yet due to financial issues.

I understand many people will argue against my post, I know I'm in a minority with this opinion. Just please keep an open mind and try not to be too aggressive or negative towards me, just as I will do for your post(s). Thank you.

[ShadowWolf~]

Instead of going off about the importance of school/education,
I would like to point out that most likely the song is outdated.
That, or it doesn't apply to all the systems anymore.
OR that they can't teach you certain things.

"I wasn't taught how to get a job."

And you probably never will be taught that.
Everyone (who is hiring) has different standards, there's no right way to do it. Some go for the highly educated, others for the ones who have a great attitude, though, most go for the experience. Need better persuasion skills to help your chances? School taught you that. Logos, Ethos, Pathos; doesn't just only apply to advertising products.

"I wasn't taught how to pay tax."

Well, maybe not directly.
But here's a hint: Algebra.
Also, I can't say this for every school, but my high school offered a Finance class that dealt with paying taxes, learning to cut costs, set a budget, managing profit.
Mostly business, you think? You are your own business; Profit, Saving, Expenses, etc.
[Also I'm sure most colleges offer classes in Accounting.]

"I wasn't taught how to vote."

Not the school's "job" to teach you that.
But remember all the choices they gave you?
And remember doing research projects on people and what they did/do?
Well if you put two and two together..
All you have to do now is select.
[Also, voting is not required of citizens. And besides, most teens, with a maximum of a HS education, don't find voting important. Those with college(+) education are more likely to vote. And assuming he's not all about education, he probably wasn't ever interested in it.
[To point out, I learned this in school.]

"I wasn't taught to look after my health."

Were you sleeping during Health class? And Gym?
Both of which teach you health.
Want to start exercising/losing weight/gaining muscles? Health taught you nutrition, Gym taught you exercise type and progression.

"Never spent a lesson on current events."

I might agree with this partially.
We were required to do research papers in science of such events, but never went over them.
But, maybe not all schools have it, but there was a class offered (Global Diplomacy) that picked and studied/reviewed current events and focused ONLY on current events.

"I was never taught what laws there are."

Did you not take a Goverment class?
I can assure you in my AP Gov. class we went over every [federal] law, important court cases and rulings, Acts, Powers of congress and the branches, forms of government, the entire Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and any/everything else you can think of.

"I was never taught my human rights."

Again, Government.
I'll quote myself,
"We went over...The Bill of Rights..."

"I don't know how money works at all."

They'll teach you a bit about currency in the amazing Government class, including the Federal Reserve and how the currency gained value. If not there, there's always that Finance class I've mention, or those Accounting classes.
As said, it'll help with profits, prices, taxes, investments, etc.
Also stock trades and exchanges require "luck" and seperate education, but mostly experience.

"Didn't learn how much it cost to raise a kid."

I'm sure if they did teach you, a lot would shy away from having kids.
Not saying it's good or bad, but still.
Also, just the same as voting, not every will do it (have a kid).
And with common sense, you should expect it to cost a lot. But everyone is different. Depends on how you want to raise your child.

"Never taught present day pratical medicine."

Falling asleep in Health class again?

"Domestic Abuse" and "Depressed Friend[s]"

Somethings are considered inappropriate and sensative topics. This is school, remember? Also it's not your business of Domestic Abuse if you're not facing it.
Schools have Guidance Counselors.
Most if not all school, also have police officier(s).
Depressed friends? They teach you in Health the signs of that. Want to help? They teach you the best thing to do is to inform your Counselor, or a professional who can help.

"...If you taught the kids to parent..."

I'm sensing some parent issues.
And with this I'll say, there's no right way to "parent."
In means to avoid saying something offensive, I'll leave it as "everyone 'parents' differently, there's no 'right way.'"

"Advice about...condom[s]...none for...kids[s]."

Not everyone wants kids. They teach you about condoms so you can use them and have little to no risk of having a kid you may not of planned on having.
Again with classes, Life and Child Development was offered at the school I went to.
Covered all "kid things."

"Language."

Not required, but is useful.
Not everyone will have [purposeful] contact with a person who speaks a different language.
It was required of us in High school to take 2 years, UNLESS you took a class at the Tech Center.
This was only due to time limits and ability of getting core credits.

"At 18, I was expected to elect a representative."

Not sure where you grew up, but I can say that here [where I live] no one is that concerned as to whether you voted, who you voted for, or what election you voted in.
In my experience, it's never "expected," but it's assumed.
Doesn't mean you will, doesn't mean you won't.
There's no shame in either.

--

To simply put it, school teaches you required classes. Math, Language Arts, History, and Science. Maybe there's more use of Algebra than Geometry, or Physics over Chemestry, but most of what you were taught you do use everyday, maybe without knowing.
They give you this knowledge for your benefit. It's difficult and somethings could improve, but it is how it is. Use all to your advantage.

[epsil]

No lol. In the comments of this video on YT, Boyinaband said that he was telling the pointless SUBJECTS to not stay in school, not the actual kid. It's like saying that some of the more pointless classes could be optional.