What It Takes
What it Takes
GEN/200- Foundations for General Education and Professional Success
Steven Lopez
June 28, 2013
WHAT IT TAKES For a young person the term personal responsibility is an abstract concept that is mostly learned the hard way. College is expensive and mentally hard, but going back to school while working full time and having a family of your own is especially rough. Personal responsibility is not only important for the individual but for society in general. Young students must do what it takes to manage time and money to succeed. Most people learn that hard way, especially young adults. During those years, most people know the difference between right and wrong, but there are certain difficulties that they learn on their own. For example, credit. “The average credit card debt in America is $15,519.00…” (Minor, 2010) When borrowed money is so accessible for young people getting their first taste of money, it can be easy to substitute a better future for better material possessions now. This is when personal responsibility plays a key role, and why most people never go back to school having to work two or even three jobs to get out of debt. Going back to school is a hard decision, especially in this country where higher education most likely means higher debts. It is generally known that college graduates, in the long run, earn more but “According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average four-year degree costs about $90,000, including tuition, room and board.” (USA Today, 2012). Therefore, for the average young person this decision is a financial sacrifice. This is when self accountability plays crucial role because there will be several material possessions that students must give up now for a better future. Another aspect of personal responsibility is time management. Data shows that in the United States “… the median age at first marriage had risen to 28. 1 for men and 25.9 for women”
GEN/200- Foundations for General Education and Professional Success
Steven Lopez
June 28, 2013
WHAT IT TAKES For a young person the term personal responsibility is an abstract concept that is mostly learned the hard way. College is expensive and mentally hard, but going back to school while working full time and having a family of your own is especially rough. Personal responsibility is not only important for the individual but for society in general. Young students must do what it takes to manage time and money to succeed. Most people learn that hard way, especially young adults. During those years, most people know the difference between right and wrong, but there are certain difficulties that they learn on their own. For example, credit. “The average credit card debt in America is $15,519.00…” (Minor, 2010) When borrowed money is so accessible for young people getting their first taste of money, it can be easy to substitute a better future for better material possessions now. This is when personal responsibility plays a key role, and why most people never go back to school having to work two or even three jobs to get out of debt. Going back to school is a hard decision, especially in this country where higher education most likely means higher debts. It is generally known that college graduates, in the long run, earn more but “According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average four-year degree costs about $90,000, including tuition, room and board.” (USA Today, 2012). Therefore, for the average young person this decision is a financial sacrifice. This is when self accountability plays crucial role because there will be several material possessions that students must give up now for a better future. Another aspect of personal responsibility is time management. Data shows that in the United States “… the median age at first marriage had risen to 28. 1 for men and 25.9 for women”
References: • Minor, E. (2010, Jul 02). The Average Credit Card Debt is $15,519. Palm Beach Post. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/578467746?accountid=458 • Kalmijn, Matthijs. 2007. Explaining Cross-national Differences in Marriage, Cohabitation, and Divorce in Europe, 1990-2000. Population Studies 61 :243-263. • Upchurch, D. M. (2012). Social and behavioral determinants of self-reported STD among adolescents. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36(6), 276-87. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224549317?accountid=458 • USA Today. (Dec 03, 2012). A college degree for $10,000? State plans can spur shakeup. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/1221246355?accountid=458