by Sarah Clinton

Created on: July 02, 2007

Just as there are two sides to every story, an action for every reaction, and a Hitler for every Stalin, there are pros and cons to immersing students in an academically competitive atmosphere.
First let us consider the highly revered Japanese culture. In America, it is a common joke, upon seeing a highly advanced technological release, to exclaim, "It must have been made in Japan!" Japanese students are seen as almost inhumanly dedicated, studious, and disciplined. There, education is prized above all else, and these diligent students spend a great majority of their lives fighting tooth and nail to obtain it.

However, the uglier side of this seemingly superior system is revealed upon study of the psychological health of these same over-achievers. If it is so much better to be the best, the smartest, and the most accomplished, then why are the suicide and depression rates higher in Japan than anywhere else in the developed world? When health, happiness, creativity, and individuality are shoved out of the way to make room for educational "accomplishments," something is very wrong. When these same students feel they have to cheat, or even kill, to get ahead, it would seem we have created a dangerous monster, which must be tamed before it wreaks greater havoc.
In America, on the other hand, many students seek their own pleasures before worrying about such mundane matters as homework, test scores, or surpassing expectations and beating the norm. Many rely on the constant supply of money from doting parents to keep them afloat as they pursue their own idle wants and desires, or as they simply "relax." Others prefer to depend upon our welfare system; they don't have to work for their money, so they eat free, without having to put forth any semblance of effort.
But, there is that percentage of students that finds a balance between these two extremes. They have the discipline and drive of a Japanese student, while still pursuing activities they enjoy, activities that will actually enhance, rather than inhibit, their education. The problem occurs when the students do not have a choice. If a student is thrust into a dog-eat-dog environment, he will keep his head down, join in, and become as ruthless as the rest of the population, even cheating in his desperation to become the best. Contrarily, if he is forced into a school where the standards are lax and expectations are even lower, he will not be challenged to become his best, and will thus become lazy, never living up to his full potential.
As Aristotle said, "Everything in moderation." A great surplus of competition is mentally and emotionally detrimental, but an extreme deficit does the opposite, robbing the world of those who could have become phenomenal doctors, physicists, or musicians, if they had only put forth the effort. Put a student into an environment where he is allowed to fail without being disowned and ridiculed, yet is still pushed and encouraged to succeed, and he will flourish.

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