from · me · to · you

In reading some of the argument about the disparities between men and women in college, I still would argue that it's a rising concern.

One blogger on the web voiced an interesting concern about the idea that men have more options then women when it comes to working without a college degree. This is true: there are a great many more options for men without diplomas then women. At least, more options as far as CULTURE is concerned. A women who raised the Prodigal middle finger to our patriarchal society, gets into a gym, and secure a well-paying carpentry job is obviously a step ahead of her female compatriots. But still, not that many women do that. Not that many women, I imagine, want to do that.

(And I could dive into all the control that is exerted by culture, but I won't).

But still, I have to disagree with this one individual who said that men have less incentives to go to college. For one, I think that assertion can be explored even FURTHER, and two, the incentives listed (mainly labor jobs, military jobs, etc.) are actually, from a practical, even economical standpoint, not as good as going into an occupation or a professoin with a degree.

Why? AGE.

The body is imperfect. Durh. Jobs with difficult physical labor are not something you can continue for that long. Furthermore, if you work on a commission basis, you have no financial security at the end of your days, when you're incapable or unwilling to work. Put simply, as you age, you become less capable to carry out the more demanding jobs of law enforcement, military service, carpentry, metallurgy... whatever. Some might be quick to argue that those positions, too, will often their long time standing members more clerical positions, more administrative positions when they've earned them. But chances are, only a few are going to get those jobs. Even more interesting: what if someone with a degree gets the administrative position, then what?

To go back to my point about exploring his assertion more... I think a lot can be said about why men feel that college is unnecessary. I think it goes past options. I think it goes to image too. What is said about you when you are scholarly? Is it favorable? Is that a manly image for boys in today's society? How many women were lining up to have sex with Socrates, might be the better question. (And actually, many men were very, very eager to have sex with Socrates). I think that for many men, the thought of more books, more long hours in a library, more time spent in front of tests is unappealing. It's more than just "I can get a good job not going to college." OBVIOUSLY. Furthermore, it's also a well-known truth that unless you work hard outside of college, you will go nowhere, degree, doctorate, or otherwise. So really, I think that point is moot entirely.

I think a candidate's desire to go to Higher Level education is more built on personal preference, influenced by culture, than it is influenced by the practicality of the choice of going to college.

At least that's my two cents.