Education System & Society's Effects on Individualism: Yearning to Be Free & Express Creativity

Education System & Society's Affects on Individualism: Yearning to Be Free & Express Creativity

Individualism: Me, Myself, & I...We?

Individualism is something we all carry with us as human beings. We're all different in our own distinct way. Individualism is one's originality, and how a person is able to distinguish themselves from the rest of society. A lot of people definitely can be distinguished through culture or even creativity. However, when those two things are stripped from them, what does that make them then? A part of society? I mean yeah, we're all human beings, but we have diverse aspects, traits, goals, or characteristics that make each individual so different. So why are we forced to be fixated on the concept of conforming to society? Well, that's where the education system comes in to play.

Education System: Welcome to America, Now Speak English!

In all your years of education, have you ever had to learn English, or be tested to see what your level in English is? I know for me, when I first started school, I was given a test to see where I stood as far as my fluency in English. At the time, I was young and didn't understand, but now that I am older, I kind of see where this all ties in. I came from a background of mixed races. Being Japanese, African-American, and Mexican, schools were definitely bound to have some questions and even some concerns... especially when you grew up speaking two languages. The issue for me was the schools believing that I had a deficiency in the English language and only knew Spanish. It was pretty strange, considering I practically grew up in the States. Well, once they tested me and found out they were invalid with their false assumptions, I was free... Or at least I thought. Wrong! When it comes to the U.S education system, it is a necessity and highly encouraged/ recommended that all students learn and improve their English speaking skills. Thus making English the dominant speaking language, and every other language irrelevant. Now, you may be asking yourself why is this something to be concerned about? Well, if you haven't realized it, the U.S doesn't have an official language, for it has the most diverse population in the world.

That being the case, why have English be the dominant language? So we're just supposed to not be able to accommodate to the people that are already here? Due to societies expectations, the education system stresses upon pupils to learn English keep it as the dominant language. If this doesn't scream conformity, then I don't know what else does. It's one thing that we already have to deal with societies expectations to be an Anglo- American/ White based society, but having to be unwillingly forced to learn and speak English. I mean even in high schools, colleges/ universities, and even the workforce, English is stressed upon. Society practically makes it a need, therefore uses the education system to implement conformity. In this article that I read, I recall it saying, “Just as the American stereotype assumes monolingual competence in English, American legislations, courts, and schools have always operated on the assumption that English is indeed the official language of public expression - that English is the normal vehicle of government, the courts, the schools, and the general business community in the United States.” In a way, it as if this society wants to create its own domino effect, where the continuation of keeping English alive to keep the government and economy running, and as well as keeping the white-society thriving. As young children we are to follow the expectations; go to school, go to college, have a career, get a job, and make money. If you think about it, this benefits our government and it's economy in terms of money. This is what the society wants to drain from everyone, individuals. With the stripping of native languages using English as the villain, there really is no hero but oneself...meaning, being able to maintain their own identity. Now if one acknowledges the fact that they are still how they originally identified cultural whilst having to accept the Anglo-American tradition.

When this happens especially in terms of culture, we find ourselves giving up the phrases, emotion, and meaning to our native languages. Our language is a part of our personality. Your personality changes when you switch a language, studies have even shown. As far as being practically forced to speak English here, I know many who are uncomfortable speaking the required language. What they're main struggles are not being able to properly retain the English language fluency at it's finest, or the fact that it doesn't feel like 'them'. Not being able to fit in with the rest lowers self-esteem and also causes discrepancies with individualism. Language, though, isn't the only thing having to be sacrificed for the sake of the needy-greedy society. Lack of Creativity is another predicament.

Creativity...Is the Key...To Individuality! Let Me Express Me, Society!

Yeah! That's absolutely right! Creativity in the classrooms is declining. When it comes to the education system, it does a splendid job of keeping its pupils deprived of creativity, and by creativity, I am generally speaking of the many methods of solving, learning, and obtaining. Have you ever been taught a lesson, but only taught it one way? Or even having a teacher tell you that you are doing something the wrong way because you aren't using the correct methods? Well if so, I have news for you. You have to realize that when you yourself are able to learn by a way you are familiar or comfortable with, that shows your individuality through your creativity. The single fact that you are able to learn and a certain way that's different from others is creativity, for it's you're own methods that you are using.

However, when you have the education system practically prying you from your own creativity, then where is growth... the individuality? Nowhere to be found. The teachers aren't the ones to blame for the lack of creativity in the educational environments, it's what the education system has set for them. Teachers are to go by lesson plans, standards, and expectations of the system. Even today, common core isn't doing any justice either. Being scolded for not following the methods given by a professor or teacher makes one believe they are wrong overall. It's not that those individuals are wrong, it the fact that they aren't conforming to what society has put out for them as far as education. If anything is wrong, its society and it's blasted education system.

Albert Einstein wasn't one who found himself conforming to the education system, along with other bright and intelligent individuals. Albert himself believed that education was something that stayed with someone even if they had forgotten what they had retained in school. Yes, they did learn in their schools, but they applied that knowledge and made more out of it... not sticking to the same methods. An article I had read said that those "individuals retained their creativity despite the requirements for conformity from their schools, and went on to make a significant impact on our world. Unfortunately, most children are more likely to conform to what is expected rather than fight to retain their creativity and be school “outsiders”". I mean, this just goes to show that you don't have to value the education system and conform to society in order to be successful or make something out of yourself.

There Is No "I" In "We", But There An "I" In "Oui": Oui To Me, Identity, Creativity, and Individuality!

Society has no shame in snatching the individuality from people. It will continue to try and manipulate people into not only its system but as well as the expectations of the education system it has put forth. They'll indeed use money as an enticement as if it were the light at the end of the dark tunnel, and we as human beings believe money is the cure to our problems and that it will eventually get us somewhere...as far as living the American dream. The money that one earns does indeed provide for them, but it provides a whole lot more for the government and economy. Power is what society holds, using it against individualism. However, people need to start discovering their own power within themselves, that spark of individuality...that makes them different from the rest. It's not just their character or characteristics, but it is their identity and creativity that is the main drive. As long as individuals acknowledge those aspects about themselves, then they are in the clear and bound to have goals in life. They know who they want to be and for what reason. They know their own skills and how they define themselves. There may be really nothing much to do as far as changing the ways society has structured the education system, but one can start realizing that they don't have to continue to follow the system forever. No one is entitled. Stand up for yourself and regain your sense of individualism. You are you, I am me...and that's practically individuality.