A good education is its own reward.

A good education is its own reward.

6:15-6:50

Education has been an important of human society from ancient civilization. It has been utilized by many people to achieve social mobility in the social class ladder. In Ancient times this was not possible, but in the 21^st century with a better social structure and equality there are more opportunities for people to move up the social ladder. In any case, a student’s drive to gain an education is dependent on the overall purpose of the student. If the student views education as a means of developing and moving up the social ladder than education is rewarding in itself. However, if the student comes from a well to do family, the case is different.

First consider a situation in which an education may not be considered rewarding to an individual. In today’s modern world of technology and the media it is becoming very common to see people move up to the social ladder with talent and skill outside the educational barriers. A very well known example, is the Royal Family of England. Both Prince Charles and Prince Williams are heir to the throne and are in high social standing compared to the general public. They have inherited wealth and a public image that is satisfactory to live a luxurious life. Prince Harry & William are privileged to have the means to pursue their passions and can learn merely for the sake of learning. They have the resources to further their artistic skills, ponder about philosophy, and plan about saving the world through volunteering as well as humanitarian service work. They do not view their education mostly as a means of providing food on the table but more as something that will round themselves out as developed human beings who can contribute beauty to the world. Also Prince Harry and Williams have both attended public school, and served the British Royal Army, both breaking with tradition of their ancestors. As a result, they have proven themselves worthy in public eyes and thus they are socially accepted and not scorned by citizens as incompetent or stupid. Education has preserved their image in public eyes.

In contrast, consider a situation in which an education is considered rewarding to an individual. In today’s modern world, the majority of individuals are encouraged to complete high school and complete a bachelor’s degree in order to get job, and income to fulfill the biological needs of food, water, clothing and shelter. Education itself is a reward to those who are not born wealthy and are often middle class or lower middle class. A very well known example, is Elizabeth (Liz) Murray. Murray was born in the Bronx, NY to HIV infected and drug addicted parents. Both parents were not able to provide for her in any means since both passed away from HIV/AIDS.  At the age of 9, Liz moved into a dirty apartment and attended school temporarily due to the lack of money to attend school, for the cost of clothing or books. Liza and her family were desperate for money and struggled, often times starved for days to fulfill their drug addiction. Eventually both her parents abandoned her, mother died from AIDS and the father could no longer pay the rent. Soon Liz was left homeless but was sent to high school by the government. From her father she learnt the importance of education and developed a passion for learning. At first, she had not attended school regularly for years, but at 17 pledged to become a "straight A" student and complete her high school education in just two years. She did a year's work a term and went to night classes. A teacher saw her gumption and mentored her. When he took his top 10 students to Harvard, she stood outside the university and instead of feeling intimidated she admired its architecture – and decided it was within her reach. Then she heard that the New York Times gave scholarships. After gaining a scholarship from NY times for underprivileged students she attended Harvard and became a renowned international speaker for youth across the world to combat drugs, gangs and violence.

In all it is circumstantial when a good education is a reward and when it is not. If an individual was born into a well to do family such as Prince William of the Royal family then education is not a reward to put food on the table but rather a social status symbol to be accepted by the public. However, in the case of Liz Murray, education was a social equalizer that allowed her to move up the social ladder and attend Harvard to become a renowned inspirational speaker and American Best Selling author.