It's mainly because kids are idiots. They have got NO idea what they want to do until they get to about 18 (probaly even older for some, maybe younger for some). They are completely blind and deluded, and what would happen is they would go "Yeah, I wanna be an astronaut" or "Yeah, I like music" and then realize years later that they are over that and want to do something new. Instead they take a general approach, and let you choose a few things you want to do, as well as have compulsory crap.

The problem with the current education system is that it doesnt accommodate for students that are not fit for normal work and normal jobs, that are creative, intelligent and articulate... Just like what Nos said. Often kids like this get depressed at school. They're the ones you see that look like dumbasses and never try or do any work, but ace the tests without studying.

That's how my school is made...

HS is basically get the requirements out of the way, then you choose your future.

Well it does kind of help you like decide what you wanna do with your life...See different aspects of certain subjects...You shouldn't be forced to do that, but yea, it's not completely useless unless you completely know what you wanna do with your life.

people are "confused" with what they want to do in life because they take in input from what other people say they should be doing, instead of listening to what's right for them.

and OMB, I know exactly what you mean man, I was one of those kids, and that miscommunication got me into a hell of a lot of trouble in HS.

Actually, that's not true. In 7th grade I wanted to be a sports physician to meet famous sports stars, but I changed my mind because that was whack and pathetic. Then I wanted to be an engineer because I was good at math and it paid well, then I realized that pay isn't everything. Then I wanted to work as a recording engineer but realized that is doesn't help what I really want to do in life: help people. So now I want to be a psychologist. That wasn't input from a bunch of different people. =/ I understand that some people may be confused for that reason, but that's not true for everyone.

I know most definitely I'm going to pursue some career of writing...novelist, short stories...but you have to be incredibly good and lucky to get paid to replace a full-time job, so much likely a journalist as well.

Get on AIM, Socrates. :shoot: