American Education: Many Things in American Society

There are many things in American society that most have never questioned, or if they have, it has only been a fleeting thought in someone's head.   There are times where people will be submissive to authority even though it goes against their beliefs and morals.   In the Milgram study, test subjects were called in to play the role of "teacher."   They would ask the "learner" word pair questions.   If the learner answered the question wrong, the teacher would have to deliver an electric shock to the learner.   With every wrong answer the teacher would elevate the level of electric shock, sometimes to the point that would kill a human being.   In this situation the learners, as well as the supervisor, were actors and the teacher was the test subject (Milgram 733).   The results were shocking.   In the large majority of cases, teachers distributed the electric shock, even after protesting and saying it was wrong (Milgram 735).   This concept of subjection to authority is found not only this extreme situation but at a smaller, less devastating level: in the areas of education and of the working world in America.
Since the birth of America, education and schools have been an important piece of American society.   The traditional brick building, with a flag in the front and a playground or sports field in the back has long been an icon of American education, which is why the proposal, made by Holt, to abolish school buildings is such a hard concept for America to grasp (p.109).   For years, no one has questioned the school building.   It seemingly has always been there, and always will be as far as most people are concerned. I, personally, never once questioned why I went to a school building everyday to be educated.   It was just what I did, and everyone around me did, what my parents and grandparents had done before.   Holt questions the value of the school building, seeing it as a hindrance to education.   It was a shock to me, I'd never thought to question this authority before,... [continues]

Read full essay