How our education shapes a poverty mindset.

So, I was enjoying myself watching some YouTube videos some days ago and my eyes caught this title: "You've been trained to be broke". I clicked and watched. A lot of things that were said by the lady are true words which is even happening in the school system right now. Nothing is going to change except we do.

I already left the school system and these are something I was never taught. What we were told then was: "Go to school, get a certificate and you will get a good job with a higher salary." Though this sounds good, it only works when you have connections, when you have an uncle or sister or a close friend in the work system to grant you the job you want without struggling for it. There was a time when my sister sadly told me of a position she wanted but our uncle who was working in the organization told her to try her effort without him helping her. That is the reality of how things work sometimes.

According to the lady in the video, schools do not want us to learn about money, but all they are after is how they would pump out the employee spirit in us and how to teach us what to do without brainstorming on our own. Looking at a school, it is the opposite of being successful in life — don't make a mistake, do as you are told, take tests by yourself, do not cooperate, and when an individual comes out of school, he will be scared to make a mistake, there is no synergy, no brainstorming and at the end, they are paralyzed, not knowing what to do or how to do it.

In the school setting, they only teach you what they want to teach you without finding out what you are interested in. By the time one gets out of school, they are scared of making mistakes, they do not know what they want to do because, back in school, their creativity and spirits have been crushed inside of them. So, it only takes a whole reprogramming to know the right direction of what they want to do in life. This is where you see most graduates who repositioned themselves to a different line of career; something that excites them and they are passionate about.

How we have been trained to be broke

From the very beginning of the educational journey, the way we think of wealth, success and financial stability are often shaped by the form and content of education. Though knowledge, creativity and critical thinking are supposed to be nurtured by school to individuals, they have in one way reinforced a belief that money is a constraint.

Firstly, rather than encouraging innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, the emphasis is only laid on standardized testing which only directs educational efforts toward memorization and regurgitation of information. This method often fails students as they are not equipped enough with the entrepreneurial spirit and financial literacy which is required to navigate the complexities of this complicated economy. When students are only taught rote learning rather than practical financial education, the system hinders the development of skills needed for creating wealth.

In addition, the lack of a comprehensive financial education in the school system does not make students prepared to manage personal finances effectively in real life. Topics like budgeting, saving, investing and understanding credit card are often overlooked which leaves them confused when they enter the real world without having a solid foundation in managing money, and this eventually leads to financial difficulties while being trapped for long in the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

However, in my own opinion, I believe if something like this had been an error, there would be a change if implemented, especially for the younger generation coming after. Schools should be able to include real-world financial literacy into the curriculum, encouraging and promoting diverse career exploration and creating an atmosphere that appreciates various forms of success. When students are equipped with the right knowledge and mindset necessary to navigate the financial landscape, educational institutions can play an important role in breaking the cycle of poverty mindsets.

Thanks for your time on my blog.