Why Children Should Study History at School

Children are expected to take so many different subjects these days that, sometimes, others get pushed out of the curriculum. History is an important subject that seems to be having its status as a worthy subject somewhat challenged, which is rather unfortunate. Less time is being given to subjects such as History, since what use does History have in the 'real world'? However, History does have relevance to the present day and it is impossible to understand the world as it exists today without considering the past. It is therefore essential for children to study History at school in order to get a well-rounded view of the world.

If children are to understand the politics of the country they are being raised in and to comprehend the relationships that exist between different nations, they have to study History. History is an important component of a nation's identity and therefore also its citizens'. For children to have any sense of belonging to a nation, it helps to be able to point to events in the past that represent a collective memory. It helps promote unity and a common sense of purpose. However, History should not merely be used as a tool to inculcate children into a certain way of thinking, since History works best when it gets children to question what they are told.

History enables children to explore the idea that there is not a single, universal truth. They can examine primary sources for themselves and discover that, even in the past, different people had different positions in society and different motivations for doing what they did or recording events as they did. They can learn about propaganda and how those with power were able to manipulate others with less power into believing what they were told, thus influencing the way they behaved. It is therefore clear why children should learn a subject like History, when it teaches them to question authority and not simply accept everything they are being told.

This is the case in liberal societies, at least, though in less developed nations – often those with a turbulent past – it is easier to paint the past as a continuing battle between 'good' and 'evil', especially for those on the receiving end of imperialism. Yet, once children are exposed to the fact that History is about more than just great wars and great leaders, they want to delve into what the lives of ordinary people were like. When thinking about the past, it can sometimes feel so alien compared to society today, but children are able to discover that even though there were no computer games or televisions, children still found ways to entertain themselves and get into mischief!

History is a diverse subject that has so many potential areas of interest to children that it is worth studying. Although it may not be a practical subject and seems as though it would be of little use in the workplace, studying History helps children to get a comprehensive education and to develop certain skills which can prove useful. Children learn how to analyse and interpret a range of primary and secondary sources; they learn to express themselves on paper and verbally; whilst they also learn how to present an argument and back it up with evidence. These are useful skills to possess, therefore making History a worthwhile subject to study.

Risks of Quitting School Early

When you hate school it can be tempting to quit, but the main risk of doing so is that you will later come to regret this decision. In the heat of the moment, it might seem like a reasonable idea to leave school, but you have to consider the impact this will have on your future opportunities. The job market is only going to get more competitive in future and employers will be expecting more from the people they choose to hire. If you don't even possess a single qualification you could find that the range of jobs open to you is rather limited and that most do not pay very well.

Not every student is passionate about learning, but it may just be the case that you have yet to find your niche. When you're at high school there are certain subjects which are compulsory and your choices are rather limited. Once you manage to get through high school, however, the world is your oyster. If you're not particularly academic you can always decide to take a practical course that will involve on-the-job training and will help you get the job you want. You have to get through high school first, though.

It is possible to take night classes and continue your education without having finished high school, but you will find that it is much easier to continue your education when you're younger than to get back into it later down the line. When you're young you may find that there is financial assistance which will no longer be available to you as an adult who is working. Plus, it can be hard to balance work and school when you're a mature student. By staying on at school and getting the qualifications you need, you will be able to pursue whatever career you want, which may not be possible if you quit school early.

If you're friends with other individuals who skip lessons and who want to quit school early, it is easier to decide to quit early yourself. However, you won't remain a teenager forever and whilst you may be able to enjoy yourself at first – getting drunk and sleeping in every day – eventually your parents will tire of this situation and you will find yourself with responsibilities of your own. You may decide to settle down and have a family in which case you will have to get a job and earn a living, which can be challenging if you decided to leave school before graduating.

Basically, the main risks associated with quitting school early are that you will find yourself with no job at all and end up on the streets getting up to no good or that you will end up stuck in a dead-end job that makes you miserable and pays very poorly. Staying on at school may not guarantee you success in later life, but at least getting an education will improve your prospects.