The Underemphasis of Humanities in Our Nation
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Peyton Impola
Read Part One
The United States places an overwhelming emphasis on STEM-based education. Ever since the early 2000s, the government has implemented a number of programs to improve education in the STEM disciplines. While the initiative began in fear that our students were falling behind other nations, it has developed into a sort of monster. We have programmed thousands of students to believe that STEM is the most valuable realm of education. Students are pushed towards taking higher-level STEM classes, and directed towards a science or math-oriented degree if they head off to college. Our schools have neglected the humanities–with dire consequences. The humanities embolden students with skills like concisely and clearly making a point, being able to present a well-supported argument, social skills, and the ability to communicate. Whilst we have emphasized the importance of STEM, we have failed to properly advocate for the humanities, which has birthed a generation of people who have subpar communication abilities.
The importance of the humanities cannot be understated. The arts are not only a source of inspiration and enlightenment, but they also teach students skills that are necessary for carrying on a successful life. The humanities teach students how to be effective communicators–a skill that is direly needed in the current climate of our world. Most people cannot respectfully articulate a difference of opinion–a skill that can be perfected through the study of the humanities. Moreover, subjects such as English, history, art, philosophy, and languages allow for the formation of a well-rounded individual. Even major figures in the world of STEM–like Steve Jobs, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology–have been proponents of the humanities.
Communication is a severely underrated skill in our society. Past civilizations considered communication to be an art. The ancient Greeks valued the theater greatly, and it was an integral part of their society. The ancient Egyptians erected the Library of Alexandria to house thousands upon thousands of literary works. Historically, authors, historians, poets, and philosophers were considered productive and esteemed members of society. However, in recent times, there is a certain shame surrounding those in the liberal arts field. This perspective stems from the assumption that those who study the humanities contribute nothing to our society. The elitism surrounding this viewpoint is not lost on me. Our society believes that in order to be a valuable citizen, one must produce something tangible for the rest of society. Yet, that very same society completely ignores the fact that they are extremely dependent on film, literature, the theater, museums, and more for a source of entertainment and joy. It seems that while they enjoy the products of the humanities, people prefer to bash those in the liberal arts field in order to establish feelings of superiority.
STEM alone is not enough for the basis of education. While technology, math, and science are undoubtedly important in our society, focusing solely on STEM breeds educationally underdeveloped students. This then feeds into a society that critically undervalues the role of humanities in our world. All and all, it is a rotten situation. The solution to this issue is not to focus solely on either STEM or the humanities, but rather create a balance between the two disciplines. When our nation puts its entire focus on one realm of education, we unintentionally damage the future of our students. It is imperative that as a country, we begin to place equal emphasis on both STEM and the humanities. Should we fail to do so, I fear for the generations to come, and mourn their ability to effectively communicate with one another.
