EDUCATION
Without humanities, world a poorer place
I hear all the time about the need in the U.S. for more education in the fields of mathematics, science, technology and engineering, and this is probably true. However, what a sad, empty world this would be without literature, art, music and history. Our world be devoid of the ability of people to communicate effectively with each other.
We would be without beauty, compassion, justice, imagination and the whole record of human history. Men could accomplish great technological feats, but could not properly record them. There would be no newspapers and magazines; no art museums, symphony halls or other music venues; no law schools and no great universities — only those schools concentrating on science and technology.
How bleak and, in truth, how very boring that would be. Please: Even though there is a pressing need for this nation to catch up with the rest of the world in the pursuit of technology, let us not throw out the baby with the bath water.
ROZ WELCH, ROSWELL
FAMILY LEAVE
Women take big risks putting careers on hold
Regarding “For most women, the job can wait; children cannot” (Opinion, March 13), Mona Charen is correct that people should stop nagging housewives to enter the paid labor market. However, she overlooks the truth that leaving the paid labor market can mean financial disaster.
The value of the labor of the stay-at-home-mom (or, more rarely, dad) will decrease drastically in their years out of the paid labor market. This can spell economic disaster for that stay-at-home-mom — and the children — in the event of a divorce or the loss of the breadwinner’s job. We need to put in protections for those who stay home to care for young children.
The woman — or man — who leaves the labor market to care full-time for children should not face destitution as a result of this choice. Unfortunately, that is often the current reality. Society must change to give tangible support, not just lip service, to the job of caring for one’s own children.
DENISE NOE, ATLANTA
CHICKEN FIGHT
In Chick-fil-A spat, who’s exclusionary?
Regarding “Chick-fil-A may be dropped at Emory” (Business, March 14), let me see if I understand: Emory’s student advisory committee believesChick-fil-A is practicing “exclusion,” so their remedy is to practice “exclusion”?
BRANDT ROSS, ATLANTA
Intolerance evident in Emory student action
Regarding “Chick-fil-A may be dropped at Emory” (Business, March 14), why would anyone possibly think that Emory students could seek retribution against Mr. Cathy because he doesn’t live up to their values?
Emory students profess to be in support of diverse people, beliefs and values. I find them to be intolerant of everything that does not fit their definition of proper beliefs and values. Many of them need to get on with their education, and be tolerant of their fellow human beings.
