Formal Education Essay

While social class may have some effect on how one may view schooling and formal education, it would not be fair to say that growing up or being in a lower class living situation depreciates the value that one has for school. In many instances, it is assumed that because a person comes from a lower-class background that not only are their values for school lower, than those of higher class, but their education levels and ability to handle and process situations are placed on a lower level as well. While these are indeed horrific stereotypes and generalizations, the idea is perpetuated throughout, primarily, Western culture. It is just simply illogical to believe that one 's education will be taken for granted due to their socio-economic class

Therefore, those who couldn 't afford these high education costs are less likely to attend institutions for formal educational training. This, then, brings forth the argument that many of those who are in lower class cannot be considered “formally educated”. But, the question remains: Is it the institution and governments fault for having such pricey education expenses (primarily higher education)? And, can we really blame certain people who cannot afford said formal education? Being that certain groups of people do not have the means for “formal educational training”, society has deemed them less “intellectual” or even completely “unintellectual”. It is stated many times that without formal training, the person does not have “real knowledge”. But, what exactly is “real

Subject matter that was directed, practiced, memorized and then mastered in a certain educational atmosphere such as classrooms or seminars. On the contrary, knowledge cannot be determined by one 's ability to relay stored information in a robotic and impersonal fashion. Authentic knowledge is shown when an individual has the ability to connect ideas, make sense of topics, carry on interesting conversation, make a thorough well supported argument and notice similarities and differences between ideas. Ergo, it does not necessarily matter what exactly the person is talking about, just how they present their ideas. Formal education may help with the articulation of ideas and presentation of concepts. However, many individuals gain expertise through experience in certain crafts or trades they have, therefore, giving them vast knowledge in that subject. According to Gerald Graff, a professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois “...the rudiments of the intellectual life [are]: how to make an argument, weigh different kinds of evidence, move between particulars and generalizations, summarize the views of others, and enter a conversation about others”(Graff 959). That being said, assuming that a person 's intellect is only measurable by their schooling is a faulty accusation. It is believed that,