Essay 1

Rachel Elder
Professor Andrew Smith
English 1020
9 February 2009
Teenagers are not Fit for Adulthood
High schools are the learning centers for teens all across America. Not only does high school provide an education but it also provides a social outlet for most teens. It is an experience that almost all Americans share with one another. From an eighteen year old eager college student to a seventy year old retired farmer—it is an experience that all Americans can look back on. It is a way of life as well as part of the American culture. From magazine racks to Hollywood movies such as Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club—high school is very much a part of our society. The time period in which teenagers walk the halls of high school is a time of adventure and self discovery for many. It helps shape teens for their future as well as prepares them for higher education. Imagine American society without high school. What would America be like if those last vital four years of learning were done away with? To many, this may seem like a ridiculous proposal—but not to Leon Bostein. In his writing Let Teenagers try Adulthood, he suggests that high school it a waste of time and that at age sixteen teens are ready for the “real world.” In no way could America benefit from such a proposal, sixteen year olds are not ready for adulthood. Teenagers should not try adulthood because they are not yet adults.
Overall, Bostein’s ideas of abolishing high school are simply absurd. However, he does make a few valid points throughout his writing. For some students, four years of high school is some-what a waste of time. There are a few students that exceed above and beyond high school expectations and at a younger age are already performing on a college level. “Most thoughtful young people suffer the high school environment in silence and in their junior and senior year mark time waiting for college to begin (140),” suggests Bostein. This suggestion may hold true to some teens. These particular over achievers should be permitted to an early graduation if they wish to do so provided that they have completed all requirements with exceptional grades. These are the only students that could possibly be mature enough to handle such a drastic change at an early age.
Although there is an exception as stated above, the majority of American teenagers should not be permitted to graduate at sixteen. There are already enough jobless adults in this country—do we really need jobless and homeless sixteen year olds as well? Furthermore, what kind of preparation would a sixteen year old have for college? Very little is covered in two years that could allow a student to be prepared enough to enter college and an independent life style. Bostein has poor reasons to back up his argument for an early graduation. He argues, “No other group of adults young or old is confined to an age-segregated environment, much like a gang in which individuals of the same age group define each other’s world (140).” If high school was done away with would it prevent cliques, violence, or age segregation—most likely not. Another scenario that Bostein uses to base his negative opinions on American high schools are the shootings that took place in a high school in Littleton, Colorado. Bostein explains, “The Littleton killers above and beyond the psychological demons that drove them to violence, felt trapped in the artificiality of the high school world and believed them to be real (140).” Maybe they did—maybe they did not, Bostein has no way of knowing how those students really felt or what triggered them to commit such a violent crime as murder. High school alone cannot be held accountable for such a tragic event. The only people responsible for this violent shooting are those who pulled the triggers themselves. Early high school graduation will not put an end to violence and murder—it will always be in the world. For that matter, the students involved were clearly very unstable people. What would have stopped them from murdering a college professor or taking the life of a co-worker? Early graduation is certainly not the solution to such a problem.
In conclusion, doing away with high schools in America would not be beneficiary to the young American teenager. High school if an important time and should be enjoyed and valued. America would not be right without high school. It has been around for years and should continue to be here for generations to come. High school will continue to be a place to learn, make life-long friends, and allow students to be one step closer to entering college and higher education. Bostein’s writing suggests high school as a negative experience for teens. Coincidently people often speak of high school years as an exciting time full of fond and positive memories.

The Anit-essay reading response

Poetic terrorism is a little extreme in my opinion. After reading this I was just a little shocked at some of the suggestions that it made for public attention. For some who are a little more extreme than I am it may seem like a good idea, but going to extremes that could potentially end one in jail is a little too far. There are much better ways to state opinions and arguments than vandalizing public property. Kidnapping someone and making them happy is also way too far. Sure, making someone happy in definitely a good intention, but the cops might not really understand when they chase you down and throw you in jail. Poetic Terrorism is a great name for this act, no doubt about it.
Street theatre is not near as risky as poetic terrorism. In fact, I like this idea much better. Public theatre is free for both the actors and the viewers. Little or no props are involved in this which means less money has to be spent. This is probably what the very first plays were like. They were set in a public place, making it available for anyone to view. This method is a good way to get any sort of message across to public viewers.
Street performance is only similar to street theatre in the sense that public space is used to draw crowds, and the performers work in hopes of getting money from the audience. Street performance is based mainly on mind-blowing tricks, and risky life-threatening stunts. If the tricks and stunts are fascinating enough, the audience typically gives money to the performers. This seems to be a fun way to draw a crowd and make a little money.
Chalk art is a neat and creative way for public advertisement, or just recognition. It is definitely for those of us who can actually draw, unlike people like me, who can barley, legibly write their name. I think it is neat and a good, legal way to advertise for events.
The mock-protest video was pretty funny. It is actually pretty interesting that people are willing to blow their horns even when they do not know what the protest is about, or that it is completely fake all together. It is a fun way to draw a crowd and gain public attention. However, I really think that anyone who did this has way too much time on their hands. It seems kind of pointless to me.