A little while back, in an American Studies course I am taking, the topic of the military was brought up. Specifically, the fact that almost no students from the my school, New Trier High School, become members of the U.S. military. Personally, I do not know a single person who has ever even mentioned wanting to join the military. Why? Well, my response to this question was, “because students from New Trier don’t see it as being very rewarding”.
This statement received a huge gasp from my fellow peers as though I had just said, “bomb” on a plane. While I’ll admit I could have phrased it much better, I stand by the main message of this statement for a number of reasons. To begin with, it seems like basic logic to me. People want to spend their time doing something that is rewarding in some way. Whether it be financially, spiritually, emotionally- it doesn’t matter as long as they are rewarded in some way. So therefore, if people chose not to do something, it’s because they found something else that is more rewarding based on what they value.
This begs the question, what do New Trier students value? Well I can’t say exactly because not everyone is exactly the same, but I think I’ve noticed some general trends. First and foremost, academic achievement. New Trier is ranked 139th on Newsweek’s Best High School List. Clearly, academic achievement is valued at this school. If that’s not enough, I can personally testify to hearing countless conversations between stressed out students unsatisfied with their GPA. Not to mention every single advisory gets their own “Post-High School Counselor”. Which at this school, really means a college counselor. Due to this value of academic achievement kids are naturally inclined to turn to college rather than the military because it would reward them more academically.
Another value that New Trier student’s often associate with academic achievement is success. Success being defined as acquiring wealth, respect or fame (with an emphasis on wealth). While the military is undoubtedly respected by most Americans, it usually doesn’t lead to fame or wealth in the way that going straight to college and then starting a career can. When I think about the most successful people in America, very few have served in the military, aside from a few politicians. I’m not saying that you can’t become successful after having served in the military, I’m just saying you’re more likely to be successful by going straight to college. Regardless of whether or not you agree with me on that last point this is what North Shore teenagers are taught.
Who or what is teaching us this? I would argue, that although there are many factors, a major one is our parents. If you live in the north shore there is a very good chance you’re family is successful. Therefore, we can assume that at least one parent of the majority of New Trier students are successful. Whether we like it or not, parents influence us kids a great deal, and this case is no exception.
These are just some of the reasons why the majority of New Trier students don’t see the army as being very rewarding. What other factors might cause New Trier students to not view the army as the most rewarding career path? Or, do New Trier students choose not to join the army because of other reasons?
