Let Teenagers Try Adtulthood (CRR)

The opinion piece titled "Let Teenagers Try Adulthood" by Leon Botstein speaks about the traditional American high school institution. Botstein argues that high schools in America are "obsolete" and "should be abolished". He believes that schools do not accurately represent the way real life works, that life is not a popularity contest dominated by athletes and superficial good looks. Botstein then continues to explain how times have changed so that "constraints to the perception of adulthood among young people may have existed decades ago have now fallen away", resulting in the need for change. This is why Botstein proposes a new school system where students graduate at 16 years of age. In order to enhance his argument, Botstein utilizes rhetorical devices such as diction and pathos. 

First of all, Botstein uses extensive diction to persuade his audience and build his argument. For example Botstein states "The victory of puberty masquerading as popular culture" in the fourth paragraph. This example of personification also includes strong diction such as the word "masquerading". This word choice makes the audience aware that teenagers are more focused on their appearance and how others view them rather than their education. Students would rather focus on each other, which is nothing like the real world that awaits them. Another example is found in the same paragraph and states that "the tyranny of peer groups based on ludicrous values meet little resistance". Words from this example such as "tyranny" and "ludicrous" portray to the audience how high school is obsolete and disrupts teenagers maturity. Students are to intent on impressing their peer groups based on unimportant things that they are missing their educational together. The use of diction in this piece emphasizes the authors point the schools need a change.

Another device that is utilized in this piece is pathos. A strong example would be the allusion that Botstein makes about the Columbine shootings. This allusion appeals to the readers emotions because, for some of them, it is still fresh in their minds. The author connects the horrid shooting to the piece by stating that the shooters "felt trapped in the artificiality of the high school world and believed it to be real." However, according to Botstein, high school does not showcase the real world. It is merely a popularity contest. But, that's not with the Columbine shooters believed. They gave up on thinking that life after high school was any different. They believed that after they graduated, they would be thrust into a world of popularity, much like the one they were forced to endure in high school. So, they saw their chance to do something and didn't look back. This specific example of pathos strengthens Botsteins argument and helps to put his views into perspective for the audience.

All in all, Botstein wants his audience to realize the faults in the high school education systems. He wants to reinforce the idea that American teenagers are not being adequately prepared for a life in the Real world. To affectively do this, Botstein appeals to pathos and uses persuasive diction.