So there’s this thing that culturally plagues Universities and Colleges all across the globe: Major-Shaming.
“So are you going to be, a teacher?”
A frequent major-shaming phrase most English Majors are commonly asked and not excited to answer.
And not just Universities and Colleges are guilty of this; even the aunt Gertrude’s of the world unknowingly major-shame over family gatherings like Thanksgiving dinner.
“A philosophy major? It’s a good thing you are just a sophomore, you still have time to change your mind.”- A friends first hand experience.
Although it falls under a different category than the familiar body-shaming and culture-shaming; major-shaming still incorporates the same fundamental principles of making someone feel ashamed or inferior. We make people feel ashamed or inferior with socially constructed ideas that we reinforce to be the norm. By making people feel ashamed and or inferior we are reminding them that they do not fit in the socially constructed frame.
Why are certain majors culturally frowned upon? Some might argue that the trends in potential job offers coincide with certain majors and not others; however, every major offers something to the person pursuing it. But we need to remember that we are all unique, just like our majors; therefore, there should be no social norm in terms of majors. Recognizing this, allows us to stop comparing ourselves based on our differences, and instead encourages comparison of our similarities.
From passionate Music majors, to technical Engineering majors, to insightful Environmental majors, we all face academic struggles. Semester after semester we are all drowning in what seems to be endless papers, readings, and exams. How can we compare Majors, when each of us has vastly different assignments and requirements? We cannot base the comparison of majors on difficulty, when what is difficult for some is not for others. It’s all, relative.
Asking someone to justify his or her major because of socially constructed stigmas exemplifies major-shaming. Not all Studio Art majors will end up in a tiny apartment and not all Engineers will make 200k a year. Students should not feel the need to justify the educational path they are pursuing.
Major-shaming often is unintentional and goes unnoticed; However, it can leave a negative impact on many. Next time you’re prepping for that massive exam and insisting that no other major could possibly be more difficult, remember it’s all relative.
Students should spend less time comparing and undermining each other’s majors, and more time collectively sympathizing. We should support each other, and come from a place of understanding by looking at the similarities we share rather than our differences.
After all, College is stressful, for everyone!
*This article is intended to be light hearted and in no way offend specific majors or career choices. All examples are based on first hand accounts and experiences.