"How I Got My DIY Degree" by William Upski Wimsatt, June 1998, pg.50.

I found this article quite interesting given that it favors life's lessons over a formal, academic education. How fortunate the author is to beable to experience all of the wonders the world has to offer without worry over where he will find his next meal or place to sleep. How fortunate the young musician he writes about who drops out of school at 15 to study with masters in music, science, and social organizations. It seems to me those involved with what the author refers to as the "self-schooling movement" are elitist children who have the financial ability to do as they please without regard for the natural consequences of quiting school. I doubt the 15 year old musician found herself in a situation where she had to prostitue herself for food or a place to sleep.

In my work, I am in constant contact with those who have dropped out of school. Their apprenticeships are with drug dealers, pimps, and gang bangers. The skills they learn are those of survival and the outcome of oppression. Any natural talent or God given gifts are long since buried. Their souls have gone unnurtured for too many years and their education is left to the streets or prisons.

I do agree with the author that schools fail to provide an education that is based in real life. Too often instructors have not been out in the world and have stayed locked in the ivory tower of academia. At my place of work, we have an average of 4-5 interns from the social work programs at UWS and UMD. They are full of social work theory and can probably hold their own at superfical cocktail party conversation, yet have no clue about people or life. After one homevisit the theories are tossed aside. While I recognize the need for credentials in many fields, we can get too hung up on degrees and initials after one's name. But, when you're standing in the middle of chaos, you either got it or you don't and no amount of book learning is gonna get you out of a bad situation. That's when it helps to have learned some of life's lessons on your own.

To me, the best education would be the combination of formal education mixed with the self-schooling concept written about in this article.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 1998

Answers

SECOND UTNE READER RESPONSE

For this assignment, I chose to write about three articles found within the section titled, "Gleanings". The three articles, "My Son the Militarist", "The Secret That Wasn't", and "Inside Skinhead" appealed to me because they all relate directly to the topic of parenting. Parenting is an area I deal with daily both personally and professionally and I am always interested in learning about and analyzing the parenting process.

A common theme found througout the three articles was acceptance. The mother in "My Son The Militarist" had struggled with her son's belief system and lifestyle which was in total opposite hers. She was however able to move beyond her disappointment,embarassment, and anger to a place of respect and admiration for her son's strengths and virtues. They had found a common ground and a place of acceptance for each other's beliefs and lifestyles. The strength of the parent/child relationship prevailed.

The second article, "The Secret That Wasn't" also talked about acceptance. The author wrote about the difficult decision to tell his parents about his homosexuality and their unwavering and unquestionable acceptance.

The third article, "Inside Skinhead" also dealt with a parent's abililty to change their beliefs and lifestyle in order to teach their child acceptance and tolerance. The author had been a self-described skinhead and member of a hate-group. It wasn't until he heard his three year old daughter repeat a racial slur that he realized the lessons he was teaching and the values he was passing on to his child. While the article said little of his parents, I wonder if it was through his parents that he learned the values that lay deep in his heart. The values that did not allow him to pass hatred on to his child. Or perhaps his mother was like the author of "My Son the Militarist" who while not condoning the beliefs and actions of her son, showed tolerance and acceptance of his right to choose his own beliefs and lifestyle. Or perhaps they both had it in them to accept the lessons of life we can learn from children.

Acceptance does not mean condoning another's actions, behaviors, or lifestyle. Teaching acceptance is teaching tolerance for others and is not promoting any particular way of life. It is promoting diversity.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 1999

THIRD UTNE READER RESPONSE

"My Poems Are My Children" by Rachel Wetzsteon

In this article, the author writes about her decision to not have children. Throughout the article, she attempts to understand and defend her reasons and at times it seems to justify her choice to remain single and childless.

I found the article refreshing in that here is a woman who for obviously selfish reasons, has decided against having children. If only more women and men could come to the same decision, the world would be a healthier place for the children who are wanted and welcomed. In my work, I am confronted daily with the realities of irresponsible people making impulsive choices and then dealing irresponsibly with the consequences and outcomes of their choices. Too often the outcome is an unwanted, unwelcomed child. This child faces disadvantages and barriers most of us can not even envision. The Toxic Child series touched on some of the barriers faced by these children.

Partnerships and parenting involve sacrifices and the author clearly is not willing to sacrifice any part of her life for another human being, be it a child or partner. She is keenly aware of her losses as a result of her choices yet is content in the wisdom that at least for her, the choice is correct.

Some might see the author as selfish and self-centered. I however admire her ability to make a decision that is unpopular and against the grain of human nature. Imagine her life and the lives of those in her house if she were not true to herself in her life's path. I do find it sad however that at 29 she is so certain of her life's path. I on the other hand, find joy in the uncertainty of my life's journey and having at one time made the same choice as the author about children, I must admit, I am forever grateful that I kept my options open.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 1999