Enabling the Better Society by Olivia

Enabling the Better Society by Olivia - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

The interrelated components of robust personal leadership, superior family educational norms, and thriving communities are the primary results of a strong educational system. These results are a tremendous benefit to the overall condition of a society. Therefore, the purpose of an education is to properly form the better society by influencing individuals, families, and communities through a strong education system.

The personal leadership that a classic, broad education promotes is the first step in fulfilling the larger purpose of an education. Both formal and informal education in the home and at school act as fundamental foundations for later lessons and growth in leadership. As a student advances in his education, his responsibility for a broad range of studies and assignments will increase; providing him with opportunities to apply himself and excel. From these opportunities and growth, his ability to lead himself improves and his sense of self awareness is strengthened. Personal leadership greatly enhances a student’s ability to discover his strengths and overcome his weaknesses. Over time, building on strengths and overcoming weaknesses increases a student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. With personal leadership developed and exercised, an individual can properly apply his reasoning and problem solving skills to all aspects of his life, education centered or not. Most importantly, the personal leadership that an individual develops while being educated becomes a life-long strength.

The second result of a strong educational system is a strong family educational norm; this outcome further fulfills the goal of an education. The strong family educational norm is formed as the students in the family realize the life-long benefit of their education. As a result, a society’s family educational cycle will improve and have a positive impact on future generations. An example is the benefit that generations of college educated parents provide for their children, the latter being more likely to go to college as well. In contrast, the children of non-college educated parents tend to have a harder time breaking their particular family education norm of not pursuing a college education.

As the family norm improves, due to a strong educational system, the purpose of an education is further completed as the communities and organizations of that family’s society also improve. This completion takes place as educated and self-leading individuals and families interact in their communities and organizations. Further, the benefits between the better society and the educated family are reciprocal as both educated families and better societies encourage each other toward continual improvement. This communal and organizational improvement is the third and final primary benefit of a continuing educational system. To summarize this concept, as an education improves individuals and those individuals establish and raise positive family norms, those family norms boost a society. Undeniably, the primary educational system outcomes of personal leadership, superior family educational norms, and stronger communities are far greater than the fundamental skills and practices taught in the primary education system, and are essential components to the fulfillment of the purpose of an education.