When I went to school in the 50's and 60's it was about history, geography and civics.... about skills and knowledge that could help better our lives, and not just about joining the workforce and being commercially productive.  Sure, we also had woodwork, metalwork and cookery classes, and while they useful for industrial purposes later on, they were taught more on a personal, hobby-like level and fun to participate in.   The focus was more on personal development back then, whereas now it does seem to be focused more on career and productivity.... the GDP, and sadly, this form of 'education' is producing mindless drones who think little of anything beyond career.... especially of their civil rights and responsibilities

The thing is, who is responsible for this sad state of affairs?  The parents for driving their kids to 'higher' education... the desired result being well paid careers?  Or is it corporations, who invest in higher educational institutions and need to see future executives/employees evolve through structured learning?  Or would it be government, who thinks it can best manage the large undertaking of creating a 'one-size-fits-all' program?

Sadly, It doesn't matter whose fault it is. all are responsible and our kids have lost their sense of 'self'.  This is why they too easily accept whatever government says, be it right or wrong.... whether or not their individual rights are lost.  Those aren't important anymore because the emphasis of higher learning is about career and salary.  And sadly, this is true not only in the US, but of many Western [industrialised] countries.... Australia included.  Not only does it breed apathy, but also anarchy, as kids these days push the boundaries in a desperate bid to express themselves without the necessary skills of 'self'.  That's why we're seeing the rise of gangs and gang violence... because the 'personal touch' was lost in education when we as parents and leaders lost touch with our childrens true needs of self-awareness and belonging without being absorbed.

Another pertinent point!  How many kids are in child care or return home to an empty house because the parents are working, often long hours and not getting home until 7.00pm  or even later?  There are two problems arising from this!  One is that quality time between parents and their children is diminished and there's much less  interaction regarding important social issues.... and we must remember, education begins at home.  The other issue is children being left to their own devices too long... and we all know the old saying about the devil and idle [unsupervised] hands.

In essence, then, the question should really be, are we too busy with work and career to notice those events going on around us and what are children are up to/learning?   And are we too tired or consumed with our leisure time to take a stand... even care/or notice that human/civil rights are being eroded?

Put bluntly, we essentially molded society the way we want it., thus we are products of our own making.

We are all products of our environments. That's what makes us what, rather than who, we are. Just look at the inner cities where many live at or below poverty levels. You don't see that in many, so called, affluent neighborhoods.

True, there is much poverty in cities right around the world, but people are not necessarily defined by it.  People who fight to maintain their sense of self worth and belief, their rights and a sense of belonging tend to hold their heads higher with dignity and rise above it.  Now this is not to say I excuse the haves for their affluence and excesses, because in my opinion they have much to answer for.... greed, corruption, withholding, a lack of care and compassion for fellow man.

Trouble is, we, the common man allowed them to amass fortunes and power.  Why?  Because too many of us gave up fighting and just said: "WTF can I do about it?"

Like I said, we are the products of our own making.  And do we have justice anymore?  Or is what we have the desire of the corporate world, where the almighty buck speaks volumes and we peons are subjugates of that higher way of thinking?  I mean, is it justice that recording and movie studios can take grannies for their retirement funds because a grandchild distracted her while another illegally downloaded a song or movie?   Where is the feching justice in that, pray tell?

More importantly, how/why did we let it come to this, where the most powerful can prey on the most vulnerable and least able to defend themselves?  Apathy comes to mind, as do piss poor attitudes and a complete lack of care.... by governments and on BOTH sides of the socio-economic divide.

Universities are not places of knowledge anymore,

Not universities so much as assembly lines to train people how to succeed in business (making everyone else a product and/or a consumer). 

*edited by Moderation.

Thanks, sureshot106.

??  Seems those are follow-ons about education.  What did I miss?