A recent survey by a high school teacher reveals an alarming deficiency of basic life skills among
high school students. What are the causes of this problem? Suggest possible solutions to the
problem.
The lack of essential skills in life has long been overlooked in schools and has since led to serious
outcomes. While there are numerous contributing factors to the problem there are two main aspects from
which it has arisen.
Students, especially those in high school, are put under immense pressure to succeed in school. With
exceedingly high expectations from parents, intense competition among peers, extreme stress of college
academic preparation, and, ultimately, starting to get hold of their future career choice, learning life skills
is almost completely out of the question for high school students. As society, as well as the economy
evolve, where it is no longer about merely survival, but rather improving living standards, monetary value
and the need to sustain financial stability steeply increase. Subsequently, the job market that provides
substantial and consistent income becomes significantly more competitive. Naturally, parents want their
children to succeed and support themselves financially; therefore, setting expectations, cutting them off
from personal interests, as well as other means of entertainment, putting them under pressure to focus
solely on their education. Apart from the competition between human and the system, it is also between
parents and parents, or students themselves among their peers. The constant tension built up within the
organism adversely affects the struggling and confused teenagers, resulting in severe consequences.
Indeed, the number of students suffering from depression, anxiety, anorexia and other disorders, or even
committing suicide has increased exponentially, particularly in the past few years. The lack of essential
life skills leads to students not being able to address a situation, deal with problems in life and handle
their own emotions, which are the most unstable in their teenage years. One of the major causes for this is
parents and schools sugar-coating life, strictly limiting students’ experiences. It is completely normal for
humans to go through and witness all aspects of life, regardless of whether they are good or bad. This
process educates teenagers on what action or course of actions to take in certain situations, heightens
awareness of themselves, as well as the world, and prepares them both physically and mentally for the
constant challenges they will encounter in the future. School curricula generally focus only on theoretical
study, glorify a small part of history, and lack updated information; all of which can be misleading to
students, providing little to no knowledge of what is of use in life. Furthermore, parents being overly
protective of their children, believing that they are not ready for the world, and making assumption that
education is the sole purpose of children unknowingly prohibits them from growing as individuals. This,
in conjunction with a world where everything is ready-made, has created a generation deprived of
necessary skills and experiences that make life whole and meaningful.
The core of the problem lies in whether or not monetary value is held higher than the students’ own
worth. In order to find a solution, it takes deep contemplation for society to decide if children should be
trained to become merely workers or good human beings whose choices, health, and freedom to
experience and learn should be respected. Students should be allowed to learn all range of life skills to
explore and discover their personal interest and passion, as well as the skills needed to combat problems.
Apart from that, the meaning of education should also be reconsidered. Teaching is to help students
become better individuals and that includes both adequate academic training and equipping them with
pivotal life lessons from domestic, to communication, to social and political views, and awareness on
health
In conclusion, learning basic life skills helps students integrate in society, develop their resourcefulness
and independence. It is crucial for society to encourage and enable them to grow and improve both
academically and personally.
