Lately, I have been focusing my time on my serious blogs. I was starting to feel guilty ignoring my commitment to amuse my friends by commenting on frivolous topics and events. Nothing meeting my standards seemed to be happening. Finally, an event has occurred that requires the attention of the curmudgeon.
Jeb Bush has explained the problem with higher education and the job market. We have been asked for “meat on the bone” which evidently translates as a specific agenda to deal with national and international problems and a solution to slow economic times. Jeb has the solution – drop the university majors in psychology and philosophy.
In an effort to compete for media attention with Donald Trump, Mr. Bush has decided to ridicule Psychology majors:
“Universities ought to have skin in the game,” the Republican presidential candidate said, according to the Washington Examiner. “When a student shows up, they ought to say ‘Hey, that psych major deal, that philosophy major thing, that’s great, it’s important to have liberal arts … but realize, you’re going to be working a Chick-fil-A.’”
This is a great example of a situation in which politicians improvise rather than sticking to their prepared scripts. Caught without a vetted comment, they rely on personal insights and knowledge. However, such comments are valuable in providing true insight into the depth of candidate understanding of relevant issues (higher education) and personal biases (what is important about an education).
Many psychology majors are upset (including me). Psychology was one of my undergraduate majors and the field in which I focused for my Ph.D. Just to be clear. By definition, you really do not complete an undergraduate degree to secure a position as a psychologist. This would be similar to explaining that you cannot become a physician (medic) or lawyer by completing a pre-med program (often via a psychology major) or philosophy program. The goal of an undergraduate degree in psychology is either to prepare students for advanced training or to provide the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills valuable in many professions. Those of us who teach in these programs should in no way be condemned for the popularity of offering courses that attract students. We do have the advantage or I guess problem according to Bush of explaining topics that many students find interesting and relevant.
I suppose it is fine to pick on psychology majors, but picking on Chick-fil-A was likely a mistake. This chain is about as Republican as you can get.