Education
Today I was really disheartened when I read an article on ksl.com (the deseret news) about how women in Utah don't see value in higher education. I am aware of the fact that a lot of these beliefs come from the idea that a lot of these women are going to be mothers and they don't feel like an education is necessary to fulfill their responsibilities of motherhood. The article states that women associate education with a career and women in Utah don't forsee themselves having a career.
Well, I am here to tell you that I didn't foresee myself having a career either. I've been working for 12 long years. Working in a job that requires a higher education degree. Without an education I would be in a heap of trouble. I would like to believe that even if I had married at 20 instead of finishing my schooling and starting a career I would have still felt the need to further my education.
When I went back to school for a Masters Degree it was definitely a difficult decision because I thought that I was resigning myself to being single forever if I got more education. I pushed through those ridiculous thoughts and ended up with a Masters Degree to accompany my Bachelors degree.
Maybe I am an education snob, but if I am it is a title that I will gladly hold. I hope that someday when I do have children they understand that my education wasn't obtained because a family wasn't the option I was offered, but rather because I know that when my family comes I will be nothing but grateful that I am educated. Grateful that I worked hard to define my beliefs, increase my skills, make myself a better servant in the Lord's kingdom and use my education to make a difference in my life and the lives of those around me.
I'll get off my soapbox now but I don't think that this is the last post you will see about this. Too much passion behind this belief system of mine.
Nelson Mandela sums it all up:
Education is the most powerful weapon which YOU can use to ChAnGE the world.
Educate yourself by reading them.
5 comments:
Amen to everything you said. I am so grateful for my education. It's already blessed our family in so many ways. Your kids will be so lucky to have such an educated mom and more than that an example for them when it's time for them to go to college. Doesn't the prophet counsel us to get an education???
I also read this article as was at a loss to why women would not feel their education is important. When I got engaged my mom looked Keith squarely in the eye and stated, "My daughter WILL get her bachelors degree." I grew up with the expectation that I would go to college AND get a degree.
You know, sometimes I find ksl's stuff to be so off-base. I don't get that perception, and if anything I'm amazed at how many women in Utah are uber-educated. I mean seriously. Maybe it's just where we live, but I really don't know hardly any adult women who haven't at least attempted post-HS education. Good job bringing the issue up for discussion. :)
I am so happy to have a BS degree! It is important!!
You can stalk me anytime lady. I might post an offensive thing here or there. Just a warning.
Oh! and HOW do you know the "Tanners" (on your blog roll)? I went to school with Cory.....Blog Stalking at its best.
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