I’ve been watching the most recent season of The Crown. It’s the sixth. The thing I find most interesting is most of the decisions made by the “royal family” are made by tradition. They do what is expected and not necessarily what they want to do. That’s how they operate each of their lives. The higher their status the greater the expectation. Even when they have an option, like what university one might attend, they are limited by what’s expected. Desire falls way down the line.
The other day I heard a woman about my age discussing her college choice from back in the sixties when I attended. She spoke of sitting in her living room with her father and a college representative. Her dad decided what was best for her and she complied.
Conversely, I made my own choice if, and where, I would attend. I don’t recall being encouraged or discouraged to do anything. The choice was mine. My dad’s only requirement was “Be the best. If you decide to dig ditches, make sure they’re the best.”
Economics entered into it. If I was going to go to college, I’d have to pay my own way. That was true for most of my friends. I don’t think any of the kids on my block, except for maybe Chuck next door, took the college route. Most opted to enter the workforce. The exceptions entered the military. I don’t think anyone stayed home, and if they did, they married shortly after.
The cost of attending college very definitely influenced my choices. I was going to a State supported school as this was the least expensive route. The application fee was an additional consideration. If there was no fee, I applied. After that it was a question of who would accept me. I was not one to focus on my studies. I did the absolute least to get by.
Back then there were two paths. You could take college prep classes or work towards a general studies diploma. I took the college prep path but graduated with a 2.25 grade point average. Not stellar at all. I ended up going to Western Michigan University for the following reasons: there was no application fee, I was familiar with Kalamazoo because my Aunt Emma and Uncle Jack lived there, and they had a cool mascot … a bronco. Most importantly, they accepted me. I was turned down by some. In the end, I was going to Eastern or Western. Western sounded cooler.
When I started, I intended to become an attorney. I really can’t say why. It sounded like a good job with the opportunity to make some money. Most of all, I’d be able to use my head instead of my back. Most of the men in my life used their backs. Once I started my studies, I discovered law school meant three more years. I was OK with that, but decided to earn my degree to teach just in case the law school thing didn’t work out. Once again, it was my decision. I told my parents of my plan but didn’t ask for their approval.
I graduated from Western in 1969. I had to attend the spring term because, after partying too much my junior year, I was a couple credits short. I borrowed the money for two classes from my parents but paid them back before the summer’s end. I had taken the LSAT for law school admission, and applied to a couple of free application schools, but opted to teach because I enjoyed student teaching so much. Lots of guys were heading to Viet Nam. Teaching, and a possible deferment, helped drive that decision.
Once I had my own classroom, I liked it even more but believed I should get my master’s degree. Teachers with master’s degrees made more money. Again, my decision and my financial burden.
TBC