The Importance of a College Degree Essay

Several aspects are essential in shaping the lives of the young ones and those who intend to pursue and improve their academic mileage. Education is such a significant factor that cannot be underestimated. In addition, knowledge is one of the social institutions that help shape, modify, and bring an impact to the life of a community. It is one of the aspects that guarantee the continuity of a community. In our modern society, most parents prefer when their children go past the secondary school level to join the higher college education. Therefore, investing in college education comes with some benefits that impact one's life. The main essence of choosing this topic is to show the importance of promoting learners towards the highest level. It is a crucial activity to boost a nation's economy as well as reducing the poverty levels that may be prevalent in our societies. The importance of a college degree could be explained in the three paradigms of conflict, structural functionalist, and symbolic-interactionism theory.

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Above all, structural functionalists have a favorable view and regard for education. In this case, they analyze education as a tool that serves various purposes in the society as well as a vital social institution in the community. According to the "International Handbook of Educational Research in the Asia-Pacific Region (1208), the functionalist perspective views education as an instrument of development by directly socializing individuals into those skills, attitudes, and values deemed crucial to the development of modern institutions (Socialization theory), and by improving the quality of human capital required for economic growth (Human capital theory)." In this regard, a college education is encompassed in this definition by these great scholars who have critically analyzed the need to further education among learners. In addition, this stage of learning is mostly taken as an avenue that promotes social mobility as well as a driving force towards promoting and enhancing national unity. The authors further their argument by asserting that "much of the literature on national development, especially those publications that were produced by international agencies and bodies focused on the utilitarian functions of universities in contributing towards economic growth, social equality, cultural transmission, and good citizens (1208)." In this analysis, it is imperative to understand that structural functionalists regard education as a motivating factor that contributes to creating a developed society.

The structural functionalism paradigm plays four roles in education. It helps create and maintain social solidarity. In this case, schools give a sense of identity and belonging. The other impact is that they impart unique skills to learners that are important in production. Moreover, college degrees are critical in giving skills and values that enhance the secondary socialization process. The explanation of functionalists in education context demands that it promotes role allocation as well as a meritocracy (ReviseSociology). As a consequence, according to functionalists, education helps latent and manifest ideologies such as courtship and socialization. What would be the case to those who get the degrees and yet have no morals?

The theoretical conflict paradigm spearheaded by Karl Marx is an aspect that the ruling class dominates the ideas made in the society. In his analysis, education significantly contributes to social inequality evidenced from such elements as having a hidden curriculum. Conflict is also seen in cases when schools have different funding rates that create varied learning conditions among learners in society. In addition, conflict theorists assert that the core importance of college learning is to "produce the kind of people the system needs, to train people for the jobs the corporations require and to instill in them the proper attitudes and values necessary for the proper fulfillment of one's social role (Tischler 326)." Similarly, these theorists conclude by asserting that these institutions are vital in instilling attitudes and values that make learners ready to face the challenges and requirements of adult life. It provides the skills that make them "fit in the social, political, and economic statuses the society provides (Tischler 326)." In this regard, it is essential to acknowledge that the attainment of a degree comes along with specific endowments that one has to overcome in life. With such an analysis, what would be the explanation to give regarding the general arguments in the society? Are they attributed to the non-degreed people?

The other paradigm on education is the symbolic-interactionism theory. The theory is used to the various ways different symbols and artifacts are employed in bringing meaning to an aspect of a situation. Additionally, it configures out how multiple interactions, as well as actions among people, give meanings to numerous activities and objects. In essence, the theorists hold that in the paradigm "everything from the self to the patterns of interaction between individuals is the result of social processes (Good 303)." In this sense, it is imperative to note that, colleges offer the best platform to initiate interaction patterns. It is at this stage where socialization takes place, and some individuals begin actions such as courtship which directly signifies the chance of start a family. It is noble to assume that the interactions formed at the college level are mature to make solid decisions and meaning in life. One of the questions to ask is if the ability to acquire this degree directly translates to making the correct choices.

Conclusion

All in all, it is always crucial to understand the importance of college degrees. It is the basis for growing the skills and preparing one to face the changing requirements of the global industry. In addition, it forms the basis where individuals meet and initiate interactions that are defining moments to start off new families. A thriving economy can also be attributed to the level of education prevalent in that country. Therefore, significant minds are the core drivers of economic growth and development as they offer expertise and skills to various growth sectors.

Works Cited

Good, Thomas L. 21st Century Education: A Reference Handbook. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, 2008.

International Handbook of Educational Research in the Asia-Pacific Region: Part One. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2003. Internet resource.

"The Functionalist Perspective on Education." ReviseSociology, 8 Oct. 2017, revisesociology.com/2015/01/26/the-functionalist-perspective-on-education/.

Tischler, Henry L. Introduction to Sociology. Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011.