Breaking Rank

Related texts:
The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton
Maniac Macgee- Jerry Spinelli
Tangerine- Edward Bloor

Statement:
Our schools now days expect kids to learn certain things they probably will never even use when they grow up. We expect a lot out of adolescents by asking them to go through so many years of schooling, and working hard at things that may not even pertain to their hopes and dreams. In Breaking Rank, Lenny shows childhood rebellion against a society telling him to get his education, and instead, he goes off and does what he loves. However, there is a catch to doing what you love in today's society. As Baby shows, sometimes you must give into the education system, and finish schooling, in order to have access to your dreams. I like how Baby understands society, yet he is still his own person.

Question:
Since Lenny became a mechanic, and not much in school can teach him those skills, would it still be beneficial for him to recieve a college degree? What about other kids, is it right to force kids to go to school until they are 22 years old when they had enough skills to do what they want when they were 18?

Kevin Matuseski