Social Problems in Education

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Education is a very important aspect as viewed in many societies. To many, being educated is a key to success. In America, it is necessary to be educated in order to attain full citizenship. The education systems are affected by the fast changing society. The society in which the education is taking place has its social values that dictate the behavior of the members. Change in social values in the society leads to a proportional change in education. It means that if the social values change negatively, the way education takes place also changes negatively. A positive change in social values impacts education positively. This essay will discuss the various social values that have affected the American education and how they have changed the education.

In the 1960s, there was a massive expansion of education in America. Enrollment for the education rose at a high rate with most children joining schools. This was as a result of government financing in the education sector (Torres, 1995). It meant that it was left to the parents to register their children in the schools incurring little or no cost. Over time, economic setbacks were experienced, and the government stopped financing the education. The economy became characterized by external debts. All groups in America suffered equal adjustments though one group felt the effects of the adjustments more than the other. The effect of poverty in acquiring education was felt national. Children from poor backgrounds dropped from school while those from rich families enjoyed the education (Torres, 1995).

Racism is another social value that has changed the face of education in America (Jonshee &Johnson, 2011).In most cases; the attainment of the black pupils appears to be behind the white counterparts in the schools. Although, the data that represents this argument is an improvement as compared to many years ago. Racism in schools doesn’t involve only attainment after education. Black students are more likely to be expelled completely from the schools before the main examination (Jonshee &Johnson, 2011).

Increased drug and substance abuse among youths has also changed the face of education. Those under the influence of drug tend to drop out of schools more frequently. The number of uneducated persons in the country continues increasing due to continued school dropping. Drug abuse is most common in colleges and universities in the United States of America. Increased drug abuse in schools has led to the loss of discipline among the students. Universities and colleges turn to raping zones, assaults and many other forms of crime (Ness & Lin, 2015).It becomes serious since drug and alcohol abuse is not restricted to any country including the United States of America. It has become easy for the young student to access drugs and uses them freely. The much-expected hopes in education thus fade slowly since the students become undisciplined and spoilt instead of going for knowledge.

The change in population diversity has increasingly affected the United States of America education. The American government tends to discourage immigration through the implementation of immigration based law. Though; there are a high number of immigrants flowing into the country. The high rate of immigration increases the population of the country. It leads to a low ratio of schools per the studying population (Barbour C, Barbour N.H &Scully, 2010).The country tries to balance the education services between the immigrants and the citizens. The level number of real citizens who are learned in the country hence depreciates as a result.

Globalization is another social value that has affected American education. The country now focuses on the activities of other nations and continents as a whole. The Americans have introduced international conferences in their schools. They compare their students with foreign students to determine whether they can take part in the global market (Barbour C, Barbour N.H & Scully, 2010).The comparison of the students in a way is a positive impact on the education in United States of America. The knowledge of the students is sharpened since they are encouraged to think broadly and compete with foreign students. The educational network is also extended to a higher level.

Technological advancement has boosted the educational system of the state. It has supported studies in schools and educational projects (Barbour C, Barbour N.H & Scully, 2010).Technological advancement in the modern days has enhanced communication between the students and their teachers. Students also attend lectures online and access reading materials that boost their learning. Media has become a tool that carries within itself entertainment and information. The ability to operate the technological devices such as computers and televisions has increased education outside the classrooms (Barbour C, Barbour N.H & Scully 2010).

Just like other nations, America is interested in spiritual and religious activities. It means religious and spiritual variables are another social value that has changed the face of education in the United States of America. Teachers are trained on different religious practices. School children grow up being taught the importance of religion and knowing what is good and what is bad (Barbour C, Barbour N.H & Scully 2010).Religious practices are of importance since they enhance projects that facilitate a multicultural classroom. Religious practices and beliefs have changed the face of education in the United States of America. The religious curriculum has been favored more than the science curriculum where there exists a conflict between evolution and creationism theories.

In conclusion, the changes in social values have had different effects on the face of the United States of American education. There are negative changes in social values that cause negative effects. Positive change in social values has changed the face of the education positively. Racism has negative effects on the face of education though; the education system is recovering from the high rate of racism during the colonial period.

References

Torres, Alberto. (1995): Education and Social Change in Latin America. James Nicholas Publishers.

Jonshee, Reva. Johnson, Lauri. (2011): Multicultural Education Policies in Canada and the United States. UBC Press.

Ness, Daniel. Lin, Chia-Ling. (2015): International Education: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Issues and Systems. Routledge.

Barbour, .C, Barbour, .N.H., and Scully, P.A. (2010, July 20): Forces Affecting Education in the Twenty-First Century. http://www.education.com/reference/article/forces-affect-education-twenty-first-century/