In classes like wood shop and home economics, schools taught kids how to be self-sufficient and capable members of society. “Home Ec.” died during the Cold War, and shop classes were largely phased out by the turn of the twenty-first century. This has left two generations of young people with no formal training in how to prepare a meal, change the oil in a car, or manage their finances.
The result of this lack of training is a population that is largely unable to take care of themselves. This is especially true in the area of financial literacy. Studies have shown that young people are often unaware of basic financial concepts and have difficulty managing their money in a responsible way.
Fortunately, more schools are beginning to realize the importance of teaching life skills to their students. Many are now offering classes in financial literacy, cooking, and even basic home maintenance. While these classes won’t replace the traditional shop class or home economics, they will help prepare young people for the challenges of real life.
With that said, the responsibility for learning life skills rests squarely on the individual. Teenagers and young adults need to be willing to take the time to learn how to do things for themselves, and parents need to encourage and instruct their children. With the right education and support, the next generation can become as self-sufficient and capable of achieving success as their great-grandparents were!