THE TIE THAT BINDS

The studies of the economic plight of American youth appearing recently have meaning for all college students. One of them, prepared by the American Youth Commission, is nation-wide and represents conclusions of experts. The other, a scientific polling of a cross-section of New York youth by the Y.M.C.A., states the beliefs of the youths themselves. Though the two reports take different methods of approach they reach the same conclusion--there is a definite need for more vocational training today. And their conclusion is further evidence of a dangerous trend in American educational method.

Both groups favor government-created jobs having additional vocational training as a means to end the pessimism of youth. Such a proposal can be interpreted in two ways. If additional training is to be supplementary to the present amount of cultural education, it will serve a useful purpose. Although ideally unlimited opportunities for advanced education are desirable, practically, because of the continued prevalence of low incomes, this is impossible for a large percentage of the population. Thus any increase in the sum total of all education, provided the present standards of culture are kept as a minimum, is extremely valuable.

If, however, increased vocational training takes the place of cultural education either is schools or in colleges, it is definitely undesirable. Such a movement would greatly telescope the teaching of liberal arts in our high schools. In the colleges increased practical training would replace the present theoretical approaches. Such a plan has been suggested by many educators, but its inception would have grave consequences for American democracy.

Creation of a great mass of vocationally trained people on the one hand and a comparatively small group of culturally educated persons on the other, would tend to destroy the unifying force in American democracy. For one of the bases of democracy is a common, diversified education. Education along these lines enables all classes of men to communicate with each other, to govern themselves, to lead richer lives. Abolish or seriously restrict a cultural education and the common bond of free men disintegrates.