Essay On Good Country People

In Flannery O'Connor's “Good Country People”, Hulga receives her PhD in philosophy, which is the highest degree, she could have earned in that field of study. Although Hulga has reached her prime in the systematic education system, O’Connor states her mother still disapproved of her degree (176). However, pursuing higher levels of education can positively impact the person receiving the education as well as their family. When my elder brother Terrance decided to pursue higher level education our family norms were affected. Terrance, who is now a Junior at Williams College, which is the second best college in the nation, according to Forbes.com, was the first in the family to progress to college. Before his acceptance, my parents had no understanding of the testing, application, or financial aid process. Therefore, our whole family dynamic shifted towards making sure Terrance received his acceptance letters. This meant that I would do his chores when he needed study for the ACT, SAT, or fill out his applications, we took turns in the car quizzing him on the potential test material, and there was even a designated quiet time in the house so that he could complete all of his homework in a timely manner (Mensah, Terrance). Shifting our daily routines for Terrance’s benefit aided in his acceptance to such a prestigious institution, and also helped
my family learn skills that would help each of us in our educational careers. After I started my college career, I began to notice that I was exercising the skills I had learned by helping my brother through his college process.
For example, teamwork is an essential part of my weekly routine; I attend cohort meetings where decisions are made collectively, and without teamwork the goal would not be accomplished in a timely manner. Also, when my brother was stressed I exercised patience. Now, I exercise patience with my peers and even my professors. Moreover, when my parents begun to notice the changes in me they also wanted to learn as I had; subsequently causing them to pursue higher level
education. Furthermore, my parents hold education in high regards, so this lead to me and my siblings having the same feelings towards education. They both decided to further their education just as they encouraged us to do. My father started the Radiology program when he was 50 years old, and my mother started the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program two years ago- when she was 49 years old. My mother started the program because “[she] always made it evident to [her] children that education [was] vital for a successful future”, now she wanted to “practice what [she] preached” (Mensah, Veronica). Terrance going to college started a domino effect of a yearning for education and learning in my family, which has extended beyond the classroom. Therefore, education does not only apply to the classroom. Parental view of education, their educational background, and the level of education reached are all factors that could aid in the advancement of learning for both the parent and the child. My family is a great example of this mutualistic relationship.