I don’t agree with everything in the article but I really liked the age segregation point. It’s incredible how much we drill into people’s heads that students need to be the same age. Why? We’ve all known 9th graders more mature, whether academically or personally, than 12th graders. And there’s so many students shunted off to college way before they’re ready out of fear of “falling behind”. I’ve taken two gap years at this point, one after high school and one this past year due to covid. So yes, I’ve “fallen behind” my classmates. I’ve also gotten work experience, significantly improved my mental health and traveled. And oh no, I’m so late for what? Joining the workforce? Who cares? I’m probably gonna be working for 40 years. Two years isn't going to make a difference.
There are definitely other horrible tropes and attitudes at work here as well, such as age discrimination for junior positions at companies that pressures kids to be ready made for employment at 23 but be cast with a skeptical eye at 27. It's ridiculous.
