Why do people in the US generally mock people that get liberal arts degrees?

And you can see that I used the word "generally," so don't try to get me for a generalization here (although I'm sure at least one idiot will anyway).





I don't see why people laugh at those who get a liberal arts degree. True, they don't qualify you as a "professional," but you are far better with one than without one. Only 25% - 30% of people in the US above the age of 25 EVEN HAVE a degree. Furthermore, most people in college GO for liberal arts degrees. The people who major in chemistry, mathematics, economics, etc...are a minority.





So, basically, everyone except 10% of the people in question are being laughed at. I don't get it.





People are laughing at me for my history degree (in progress) from UCLA. Well, at least I am getting a degree, and from a good school. And I can always start off working for entry level jobs and work my way up fairly fast.





My point: Mockey is uncalled for, so keep it to yourself

Why do people in the US generally mock people that get liberal arts degrees?
I think that it has something to do with the presently assumed power and prestige inherent in the degrees. Someone with a B.A. in Philosophy from Harvard is seen as less affective in our world than say, someone with a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. The reason this is so is that the U.S. government is geared to maintaining the status quo; the haves and have nots. In order to do this, they must minimize the affectiveness of those with liberal arts degrees, since this diminishes true dialogue and hence true change. They then influence society subconsciously through the media and consciously through the public education system into believing that the other 10% of degrees are indeed the highest paid, most worthwhile, and best career option for the general populace. The truth is, everyone should receive a well-rounded undergraduate education, including at the minimum an A.A. in liberal arts. This way, people can begin to think and discuss things, versus assuming false roles imposed upon them. And, don't worry. With a degree in history, most corporations will want to hire you so that you can apply historical solutions to resolving present day problems. Or, you can go into education. The sky is the limit with the degree you have. As far as the other more specialized degrees go, they are more restricted in what areas the graduate can work on when they graduate. Hope that this helps.
Reply:I wouldn't mock anyone with a degree. I don't have one myself, in anything, yet I managed to find a decent job that pays the bills. Still, anyone who gets a liberal arts degree and nothing else doesn't have a whole lot of choices. I know a guy who got a master's degree in FILMMAKING because he wanted to go into that industry -- and he's working in a public library now -- and it has nothing to do with film. It was almost a waste of 6 years in two fairly good schools. True, he was a screw-up for the first 2 years, and his parents wouldn't fund him to go to a school in California, where he MIGHT have actually had a shot at making something of that degree. Still, if I were going to college, I'd pursue something practical, like pharmacy.





I used to work with a guy who got a degree in english language -- and he ended up as a copy editor for a publisher.
Reply:A Liberal Arts Degree is much a do about nothing.





You get a taste of this, a taste of that.





It's a dilletant degree.





You can't draw like Van Gogh





You can't play like Segovia





You can't take pictures like Ansel Adams





You can't make films like George Lucas





I suppose you can take that degree and get a job at a newspaper and CRITICISE all these people for NOT meeting YOUR expectations.





Of course, you can't BEGIN to meet your own expectations!
Reply:Your point is well-taken.





I think the mockery stems from a general misunderstanding of the nature of a college education. Many people seem to think that a degree that does not directly lead to a career in a specific field is a "waste" of money and time. This is very myopic thinking.





In truth, a university degree is not intended to be a vocational program. A liberal arts education (including courses in the sciences, arts, and humanities) is intended to teach students how to think critically, how to interpret the cosmos, and how to address all sorts of problems by using the analytical tools provided by the many different disciplines (art history as well as chemistry).





Chemistry majors may become lawyers. English majors may become CEOs. Fine arts majors may become doctors. I have personally witnessed several instances of each of the above.





In addition, in the contemporary global marketplace, few people stay in one career for the rest of their lives. Adaptability to different modes of thinking, and the ability to quickly negotiate and use new sets of tools (physical or theoretical), are the new "skill sets" employers seek.





Successful students "major" in the discipline in which they find analytical tools that are personally congenial, intellectually challenging, and hermeneutically effective. They also take courses in many different fields so that they learn to switch between different modes of thinking.





Telling a student that s/he should major in a discipline in which s/he has little interest or suitability is simply ridiculous, and fundamentally misguided.
Reply:look at the huge emphasis the government puts on improving our students' math and science skills. we can thank the russians and sputnik for this. scientific discoveries earn countries esteem.


with so much importance accredited to science and math, people who aren't in those fields are naturally looked down on.





those fields are just as important as any other and you're right to call the mockery wrong.
Reply:Don't EVER mistake LEARNING from a university as wisdom.
Reply:I'm currently majoring in Creative Writing and a lot of people have tried to convince me that I should major in something else because there aren't many decent paying jobs in my field of study. I enjoy writing and I can work for a newspaper or a magazine as an editor or writer while I write my poetry and publish books.
Reply:maybe its just you. ive never heard anyone mock anyone for a degree, unless its been in engineering. i mock them because the practical part of life has gone down the toilet for them. a professional is someone who gets paid for what they do. people seem to forget that. it has nothing to do with education. if people continue to mock you, just kick them in the nuts. that will do it.

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