Reaction to Leon Bostein's Let Teenagers Try Adulthood

After reading Leon Bostein’s Let Teenagers try adult hood, I have mixed feelings about it. In some ways I am shocked at Bostein’s negative outlook on high schools in America. As a recent high school graduate, I feel that some of his opinions are harsh and over the top. Bostein argues that high school should be cut short and at sixteen students are ready for college, jobs, and freedom. Personally I do not see that this plan would work. High school is a huge building block for the maturity of America’s young adults. Teenagers at sixteen are not yet ready for “real world experiences.”
Throughout this writing Bostein often refers back to The Littleton shootings in order to base his negative opinions on high schools. The situation was tragic—but could not have been controlled by anyone other than the killers themselves. The urge for those particular students to pull the trigger may have been provoked by their peers in taunting and teasing—but none the less is no excuse for murder. Bostein suggests through his writing that maybe if students were in the real world at an earlier age, they would have more knowledge about how to handle life’s situations better. Would allowing those students involved to graduate two years earlier have stopped the shootings—most likely not. It takes a very unstable person to wish to take the life of a fellow peer. There is obviously a weakness in these students that caused them to react in such a violent manner that was completely out of anyone’s control but their own. Turning sixteen year olds loose at such a young age is not the answer to problems such as this one. It will not fix violence in schools or anywhere in the world for that matter. These students may have very well shot at a fellow employee or a college professor. The high school atmosphere cannot be held completely accountable for their actions—it is ridiculous that Bostein believes an early graduation would fix problems such as these.
On the other hand, I do agree with some of the statements that he makes. In some ways high school is unchallenging and a waste of time. It would be completely possible to cut curriculum down into two years instead of prolonging it to four. This plan could benefit students by allowing them to get an early start into college. However, not all students are mature enough to enter upper education at such a young age. Problems of violence and corruption are not just in high school—they are everywhere. Times have changed and the world is a different and more violent place. Therefore, some students should be permitted to graduate at sixteen only if they have gone extra lengths to complete requirements earlier than others. Those who do not can stay in high school until they reach eighteen. I do agree that holding all students there for four years is slightly unfair to those over achievers who are mature enough for college. Let the grades and achievements accomplished by students speak for themselves in regards to an earlier graduation.

Rachel's Blog

Hi, my name is Rachel Elder and this is my first year at Tennessee Tech! I am currently undecided with my major but considering pre-vet!