When sitting in a high school class, it’s easy to think “When am I ever going to use this?”
It’s even easier to feel that way if the class is mind-numbingly boring, and way too early in the morning.
Since high school education is generalized in order to provide students with different paths to follow after high school, it’s easy to feel like some classes are unnecessary. With this in mind, which classes can be considered important?
I believe that government and civics classes are important because they inform us of what rights we have as citizens, no matter who we are or what career we decide to pursue.
It doesn’t matter whether you are an engineer, a historian or an artist; understanding the rights that you have been given will go further than just a grade on a test. Understanding your rights is crucial because you exercise them on a daily basis in ordinary situations.
You exercise your right to free speech through your opinions and in how you express yourself.
These are rights that are often taken for granted, but are extremely important.
Government and civics classes also explain concepts such as how laws are passed, and the checks and balances in place in the day-to-day tasks of our powers.
Understanding the roles that these concepts play in how our government works is also extremely important in order to understand the political issues that are rampant in today’s climate.
Further, I believe that civics classes are still important even in college. Although college is a time where many people are already active in politics and have formed their opinions, it is still important to know how our government works and understand differing beliefs so that we can have facts to back up our opinions as well as respect those whose differ from ours.
Through in-class debates with others, people can understand other viewpoints as well as understand other reasons why they identify with their own.
Although government and civics classes can seem pointless, they teach concepts which are crucial for teens to understand. If we do not understand our rights, we cannot defend ourselves against those who may wish to encroach on them, which can end in disaster.
