Apathy is a word described as “a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.” (“Apathy Definition & Meaning”). Apathy is described differently in the medical field than it is described in the psychology field. In the medical field, it is defined as “a lack of goal-directed activity and motivation compared to previous behavior. It can also look like a lack of spontaneity, interest, or emotional expression.” In the psychological field, it is expressed as “emotional detachment and a reduced ability to experience pleasure.” (“Apathy: Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment”). Apathy can be caused by many reasons: Having low self-esteem, going through a traumatic life event like the loss of a loved one, having trouble adjusting to a new circumstance, or feeling burnt out. Apathy is also associated with many mental health conditions like depression.
Now, apathy in schools has become a very serious matter with many students skipping school, turning in late assignments, and giving the bare minimum to school work. Granted, some of the blame lies on the students, but in reality, it’s not the students’ fault. Schools nationwide do not reward students for all the hard work they put in. Students with straight A’s get promoted to the same grade as students with substantially lower grades. “ [She] isn’t saying we should give kids a standing ovation for doing what they’re supposed to,” (Treleaven). When students see their peers doing less and getting the same amount of reward out of school, what are they supposed to do?
“40% of Gen Zers say they don’t need a college degree for a successful career. So if education no longer offers social mobility and the school you attend is only designed for kids who are college-bound, why bother?” (Treleaven). Students who are pursuing careers that do not require a college education do not see a good reason to try in school. As long as they pass and graduate, they are set. Many companies now are opting for skill-based roles, rather than degree requirements. “In its list of top workplace predictions for 2023, consultancy firm Gartner said skills-based hiring rather than degree requirements will dominate at successful companies That’s mostly thanks to the historically tight talent market and the battle for qualified workers.” (Thier). Many companies like Google, IBM, and Apple have abandoned their degree requirements. Now, only 41% of jobs in the US require a bachelor’s degree or higher. That still leaves the majority of jobs accessible without a college-level education.
Helper jobs that students want to pursue that require college degrees have been proven not to offer liveable wages when student debt is accounted for. “Childcare workers can make more at Target or Dunkin’ Donuts than caring for toddlers at a daycare. Almost 20 percent of public school teachers work a second job during the school year, according to government survey data.” (Masterson). Studies like this one sway the student body population away from pursuing a helper job in college, and it’s for a good reason too. Who wants to go to school just to not be able to have a liveable wage afterward?
Students all over the country suffer from apathy. This common problem that is cultivating throughout schools, and many don’t know how to help. One solution would be to give incentives in the moment to work hard in schools, rather than just telling students, “It’s good for your future”. Teaching skill-based classes that give students hands-on experience for the career they choose to pursue or providing increased pay in many college degree-restricted jobs would prove to be good alternatives. Granted, getting any of those to pass would be hard, but it would be worth it. All of these problems have achievable solutions if teachers, parents, and students alike work together to obtain more interactivity with students in schools.
Works Cited
“Apathy: Definition, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 16 March 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24824-apathy. Accessed 5 October 2023.
“Apathy Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/apathy. Accessed 5 October 2023.
Masterson, Kathryn. “Low pay in ‘helping’ professions creates a moral dilemma for colleges.” Work Shift, 15 June 2022, https://workshift.opencampusmedia.org/low-pay-in-helping-professions-creates-a-moral-dilemma-for-colleges/. Accessed 13 October 2023.
Tay, Jonathan. “Apathy after stroke: Diagnosis, mechanisms, consequences, and treatment.” SageJournals, February February 2021, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1747493021990906.
Thier, Jane. “Many Gen Zers don’t believe they need a college degree for a successful career.” MSN, 15 March 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/many-gen-zers-dont-believe-they-need-a-college-degree-for-a-successful-career/ar-AA18FG15. Accessed 13 October 2023.
Treleaven, Kelly. “Student Apathy Is a Huge Problem in Schools Right Now.” We Are Teachers, 22 May 2023, https://www.weareteachers.com/student-apathy-in-schools/. Accessed 11 October 2023.
