<center>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46867580/GettyImages-57641874.0.jpg</center>
# When a child spends several years going through the school system, their individuality can be easily suppressed in many ways. 
<center> </center> Schools don't teach critical thinking skills, nor do they achieve much in preparing kids for the real world. Children are taught *with a focus on what to think* and not <b>[how to think](https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-intuitive-parent/201703/the-emerging-crisis-in-critical-thinking)</b> while going through the system. Learning is only acceptable from pre-approved sources and group-think is prioritized rather than [individual creativity](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-15/schools-and-teaching-are-they-killing-creativity/8271362) and curiosity. 

# Could it be because this might threaten <b>obedience</b>?...
<center> </center> Some have suggested that promoting critical thinking might be <b>"too disruptive"</b> to the learning process. But the individual is the one to suffer when their natural curiosity and interests are suppressed. 

[Schools today don't encourage children to explore their own interests](https://observer.com/2018/01/american-education-system-suppresses-critical-thinking/), they're expected to submit to and keep up with a specific curriculum. They are also expected to learn at the same pace as everyone else. The focus throughout the learning process *clearly seems to be more* centered on <b>memorization and less on learning</b> and developing critical thinking skills. 

<center> https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/09/30/03/23/school-buses-2801134_1280.jpg</center>

# A variety of [educators have suggested](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270077) that [many students](http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/students-struggle-to-think-critically/article_04190bde-3507-51a9-9c6f-df4fe8344974.html) graduating today *still struggle to think critically*. 

<center> </center> Many students are bored in class and their creativity is hindered because of the strict regime that involves frequent testing and cramming for various subjects. [The present day factory farming model](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/15/robots-schools-teaching-children-redundant-testing-learn-future) of education erodes the intrinsic motivation to learn. Researchers have suggested that children learn best when their natural curiosity is *aligned with the teaching*; when they're stimulated and interested in what they are learning about. 

Not only is the individual forced to conform to the strict curriculum of the school system but they are also pressured to conform to the group, other students at school. They're encouraged to dress, act, and speak in a way that blends in so that they can be accepted by others. 

Success is also recognized in only one way [and that's through good grades](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201309/schools-are-good-showing-not-learning). But while students might spend a great deal of time prepping for exam, [they can neglect to prepare themselves](https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/mehrnaz-bassiri/forget-good-grades-teach-your-kids-how-to-learn_a_23353626/) for the real world in the meantime. It also teaches that if you don't get good grades that you cannot become successful in life, or that you aren't intelligent, but many individuals have proven that assumption to be wrong. Good grades aren't everything and they might come at the expense of individuality and the [ability to think more critically](https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/09/when-memorization-gets-in-the-way-of-learning/279425/). 



Pics:
[pic 1 D McNew Getty images via Vox](https://www.vox.com/2015/7/30/9075065/school-to-prison-pipeline-study)
[pic 2 pixabay](pixabay.com)

<center> https://steemitimages.com/DQmaW48YhsgLS2fxaYkXCuon3tFpQEEh1tSUCU3jjJXv7RT/%40doitvoluntarily.gif</center>

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