Joel Barranco Blog Post #2

I was really interested in the topics every group was going to present. I felt these were all topics that were applicable to everyday life. Group 1 presented Economics of Education, Group 2 presented Mental Health and Social Life, and we presented Family and Potential Careers.

Group 1: Economics of Education
 

This presentation explored how education impacts individual and economic outcomes. It was very clear and concise with very thorough research, and I really liked how they presented the data. They presented the situation when richer schools can introduce more extracurricular activities, smaller classes, and up-to-date technology, whereas schools with low funding usually must survive overcrowded classrooms and out-of-date resources. This gap does not only affect academic work, but it also defines how students perceive their potential. Overall, the presentation was very informative, and I could tell that everyone that worked on it did their research and was very involved with the making of the presentation.

Group 2: Mental Health and Social Life

I feel like Group 2 had a tough topic to handle. Juggling mental health and social life is a common struggle yet so complex. When you’re not in the right headspace, you struggle to maintain friendships or even feel like you belong and when you are alone, your mental health can really take a hit. The arguments concerning the digital world were spot on. We have telehealth and apps to simplify the process of seeking help which are some great positive influences technology can have on our mental health and I’m glad group 2 was able to mention that aspect. They brought up some of the many negative ways social media can impact our social life. Group 2 also brought up a great point about how connected we all are with technology yet so many people feel more alone than ever today. I also got to know that there are situations when individuals in the state of mental health crisis do not receive appropriate assistance. The police/emergency services can arrive, but they are not equipped to deal with such situations. That can make it even more dangerous. Group 2 also mentioned the fact that homeless people or addicts receive very little help and are often forgotten, which is extremely unfortunate. I also enjoyed getting to know about the initiatives of the local, state, and national governments. It is great that some programs exist to promote mental health and community places, yet it is evident that more effort should be made, especially in the underserved parts of our country. There were some practical ideas like having extra mental health education in schools or developing mobile therapy units. It proves that there are solutions when the right individuals act. Overall, this presentation made me reflect on the importance of checking in with ourselves and others. Mental health is not a personal problem only, it is also a problem of schools, families, and communities. The situation can improve the more we are willing to discuss it and demand actual support.

Group 3: Family and Potential Careers

Finally, our presentation, Family and Potential Careers, helped me reflect on my own upbringing. Seeing the work my peers put in was very encouraging and everyone was very helpful. I enjoyed it when Roseli spoke about the importance of seeing role models who resemble you. It gives them the perception that they can also do it when they observe individuals within their own communities performing all types of jobs, scientists, teachers, leaders, and so on. It is not only about being smart or working hard but even believing that it is even possible in the first place. Ricardo’s part was hard hitting too, that breaking family tradition can feel like you’re letting them down. I was invested in my section of the presentation; the research was very eye-opening even though I’ve been interested in the topic of class and inequality for a while. I’d say the best part was researching some of the possible solutions to mend many of these inequalities and it made me hopeful for the future. Seeing the project come together is probably one of my favorite aspects of group work and seeing everyone finally present their ideas really makes the process worth it. I believe it’s important to acknowledge all of these issues and it’s comforting to know many of my peers are passionate about these issues. Overall, the project was fun and informative and I am looking forward to our next presentation.