tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334205599297722121.post1200494590126133484..comments2023-12-06T14:43:06.715-08:00Comments on Transwoman Times: A Little Repression Is Good--For Whom?Justine Valinottihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334205599297722121.post-17612118108442063292010-04-28T12:03:34.081-07:002010-04-28T12:03:34.081-07:00I will abstain from commenting on the student'...I will abstain from commenting on the student's personal story, but regarding the general mood of your students:<br /><br />The way I view it, is that there is a difference between an education and a degree. Today, a degree is often perceived as a necessity. In order to work as ____ and earn $__ per year, you need such and such a degree/certificate/diploma. An education, however, is still perceived as a luxury. I suspect the students who attend your college are so firmly in the "need degree" category, that taking a genuine interest in the *education* itself is almost culturally unacceptable.<br /><br />The university where I work is quite different demographically (private, European, students have money), and yet 75%+ of the students in my lectures have the same mentality. Why are they there? Because they need a piece of paper that says they have a degree in X in order to get a job. And to get that piece of paper, they must endure years of these lectures and seminars. These students did not grow up in poverty. In fact, many of their parents are in the business sector - and so they were raised with a certain viewpoint, which in many ways contrasts the type of education my university has to offer. The idea of intrinsic rewards and intellectual enrichment is as new to these students as it is to the disadvantaged, low income students you describe. Just thought it was an interesting juxtaposition.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com