As technology continues to develop, pursuing a STEM degree may seem like the most logical choice for high school students; however, the humanities remain an important aspect of modern society.
Professors, journalists, historians and authors are consistently underappreciated, even though they contribute to a functional and educated population.
According to The New York Times, in 2023, Miami University began re-evaluating 18 undergraduate majors in the humanities, including French, German, American studies, art history and classical studies. Each of those majors had fewer than 35 students enrolled in 2023.
Comparatively, Miami’s finance program had 1,400 students enrolled, and their computer science program had 600 students.
Miami University Provost Elizabeth Reitz Mullenix said the humanities faculty at Miami were making an effort to preserve the information taught in those classes, even though some of the majors were not salvageable.
A STEM education, while increasingly valuable, does not outweigh an understanding of literature and the social sciences, and when universities are forced to make budget cuts, humanities majors are often the first to go.
Humanities education prioritizes critical thinking and an understanding of ethics, which is important as AI and other technologies develop. According to a study by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, humanities degrees made up only 8.8% of bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2022, the lowest rate since data was first recorded in 1987. Additionally, 63% of these degrees were earned by women.
These trends can be partially attributed to the insecurity of humanities careers post-graduation, as they start at a noticeably lower salary than many STEM careers.
Although schools cannot determine how the public views humanities degrees, they can make a conscious effort to encourage high school students to pursue a liberal arts education. Whether it is the notion that girls are not smart enough to succeed in STEM fields or that liberal arts is a feminine discipline, humanities degrees are often perceived to be for women.
At the high school, disparities exist between the percentages of girls and boys taking advanced English classes and humanities electives. This semester, 75% of students in Anthropology and 100% of students in Gender Studies are female. Similarly, more freshman and sophomore girls are registered for advanced English classes than their male counterparts: 67% and 62% of Honors English 9 and 10 students are girls, whereas English 9 and 10 are 37% and 39% girls, respectively.
The humanities being unintentionally gendered may drive boys away from social science electives and advanced English courses. Schools should encourage all students to pursue the humanities to combat this pressing issue.
Humanities degrees teach important life skills. The ability to think critically is essential in an increasingly automated world, and the humanities teach students to write well and understand culture and history.
It is imperative for the high school to emphasize the value of humanities regardless of students’ postgraduate career paths or gender. An understanding of liberal arts provides a valuable outlet for critical thinking, communication and expression, and the skills fostered in these classes are assets for all.
