posted on Aug, 25 2009 @ 10:11 AM
What are the two most important things they don't teach you in school?
Now, I'm talking really important, life and death or at least quality of life important...
Finance (Taxes) and Law.
Finance
Some people might say "Hey, I took an accounting course in high school so I learned finance."
You took a course to learn how to file taxes... And, where I'm from the course is an elective. That is not finance, and that is not even truly
learning about taxes. The mediocre course taught in my school only covered how to file returns and create balance sheets which I think was only
offered to encourage people to file once they entered the job market.
Now, what should they teach regarding finance?
First off, Taxes; why we pay them and where the money goes. A break down of tax money and where it is spent.
Tax incentive programs, tax free programs, tax benefit programs. Cover it all. Tax law, what should happen if you don't pay tax or run a business
without paying tax. What are your rights regarding taxes and tax payment.
Everything to do with taxes should be covered because as people we are expected to pay tax. This should be a mandatory course.
What else, I personally think money management and investment should be covered too. Do you want your future generations to be wise with their money
and see the benefits of investing or do you want them to live hand to mouth consuming. (I think we all know how the system wants you to be)
Taxes and money management doesn't have to be a stressful subject, but the less educated people are on it the more of a burden it becomes.
Law
Second subject, Law; "Ignorance is no excuse to the law"
It isn't? Where exactly can you find the laws you are obligated to abide by as a kid growing up? The only law I learned was from my mother, who had
no concept of the law or personal rights whatsoever. I remember as an 8 year old asking my mom why something was against the law. And more
importantly how she knew it was. Her reply was ' everyone knows what's against the law'. Back then I told her if we have to follow laws we should
have a book they give us to know what they are. I was only 8. How can an 8 year old recognize this but a grown woman can't?
What she gave was such a horrible answer.
The truth is, is nearly no one understands the law. Laws have become so complicated that some people that have done eight years of school on the
subject at first only have a grasp at law.
Why should you teach law? Because you are obligated to follow it. Because you can be locked up and held against your will if you do not
understand it. And this 'word of mouth' interpretation of the law between people that have no understanding is criminal in itself.
If bad information is being passed around as 'law' and someone commits a crime because of it, it is the person whose actions are deemed criminal
that is responsible. So where then do we learn the laws so this does not happen? We, as children are supposed to research law on our own time? I
remember as a kid my parents as well as others who basically made up their own laws, some believed swearing was against the law. Some believed lying
was against the law. Or at least they told their children that to promote better behavior. That is irresponsible.
It is deplorable that we do not teach something so important to children when they are young, something that they are required to follow the rest of
their lives. And it should not be taught as a scare tactic, Law should be taught alongside human and individual rights. Every time you learn a law in
school you should learn the constitutional implications behind said law. Or if in Canada the charter of rights that coincides with such law.
Please reply to this with your personal understandings on these subjects as a child vs. now. And whether you feel you know enough about both subjects.
Because personally, even though I do research now and then I still feel completely uninformed.
*Edit (bold)
[edit on 25-8-2009 by threekings]