An important school subject that is not taught at all schools, but should be, is government. I, fortunately, am at a school that does require seniors to take government, whether it be the advanced or normal class. This class may not seem, on the surface, to be vital to everyday life, but that belief is something that has lead to an increased amount of political turmoil in modern America. People believe that politics do not affect the average person’s everyday life, but that is untrue. The government controls more of the country than we care to admit and having an understanding of that government is important. This class has already taught me a lot about, not only how the government works, but why it has come to be that way. Having this class the year before I enter the world as a full fledged citizen is very useful. I am learning about politics and what all the parties and people stand for. I am learning how to make my own decisions on topics without being influenced by my parents. I’ll admit, I will never truly be able to get rid of influence and coercion from various groups, but having this background in government definitely makes me more able to form my own decisions. This class is a place where I can choose whether or not to express my opinion on a modern topic, or just listen to what others have to say and form my own argument for myself. It gives me a chance, whether or not I use that chance, to share to others my own views on a topic without the fear of feeling judge. This class should be exposed to more schools in the United States because it is so vital to really understanding how this government that affects our everyday life works. People are not born understanding all of this right away, it has to be taught in a classroom environment. I am not suggesting that every student who takes this class will leave remembering everything about the United States government, but it will give them a reference point for many of the things they see in the news regarding the government. It will also inspire them to want to get involved in politics and pay attention to the world around them. There are far too many Americans of all ages who sit around and complain about the state of the country, but never actually do anything to help fix it. Having access to a government class in high school could really change that. It would teach students, who are the future, how to make an impact on the world and be the change they want to see in the world.
