March 1, 2008
4:35 PM
Just another meaningless ceremony
I do not see the point on forcing compulsory attendance of school events. In my opinion, events are something you go to willingly. Events are things people attend if it interests them. For example, parents gets interested in attending an award ceremony if their kids are winning awards. People get interested in attending a sport event if the team they support are playing.
Forcing attendance is ironic. The dictionary defines an event as "A social gathering or activity". What brings people together? Similar interests. You like WoW, I like WoW, we both play WoW together. You like WoW, I don't like WoW, we don't play WoW together. Simple as that. By forcing compulsory attendance, we have this situation: You like WoW, I don't like WoW, but you force me to play WoW by threatening me with (insert horrible deed here). So in the end, I play WoW, but only half-heartedly at most. The original intention of WoW is to kill monsters, level up, and ultimately have fun. By forcing one to play, you take away the original intention of having fun. Thus by forcing attendance on school events, you take away the meaning of the event itself: a social gather or activity that brings people of similar interests together.
At this point, teachers and members of educational institutions might say: "But since students are part of the school, they are obligated to attend school events, take part in school fundraisers, etc etc." This concept is as flawed as compulsory NS. Being born in this country, you are obligated to serve the country. Sure, you might be able to capture the physical aspects of us, but it is ultimately our hearts that make the difference. You might be forced to train to defend your country, but will you defend it if it holds no special meaning to you? We only do it through loyalty. Forcing things on us is definitely not the way to go about building up loyalty.
So, for what reason are we forced to go for school events if we don't want to? To build up public image perhaps? Cheer on some sports CCA, not a single player whom you know, that might build the image of the school as one in spirit. Attending a prize-giving ceremony which means nothing to you, that might show the parents how ON we are. All to create a facade. Who wins in the end? Not us..