The Catalyst

By Katelin Euler, Reporter

When you’re sitting in Algebra, whispering to your friend and answering a text message, think of those who would kill for that education you take for granted. I’m talking about privileges. Everyone has them, but Americans seems to have the most. As Americans we have huge opportunities and the world is literally in our hands; we have the right to choose any career we want. As a high school student, I must admit I’m not always thrilled about waking up at 5:30 five of the seven days of the week. But keep in mind those who would love to switch places with you and even attend school earlier.

When I refer to those who would “switch places with you”, or “kill for the opportunity that America offers” I’m talking about the teens of underprivileged countries. These teens, unlike us, do not get the opportunity for a proper education and instead are worked to bone with their “daily chores.” These chores are not taking out the trash or doing laundry; they are hard labor. The teens in countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Nepal just to name a few, work harder than most employed adults in our country. The number of hours worked for and average American was around forty-six according to libraryspot.com, where to in a foreign country four year olds are working countless hours. They don’t really get a choice of an education because their countries cant afford it says caribvoice.org.

These teens are working harder than any of us ever will. We can occasionally get burnt out on school and just feel like being “sick” for a day. These teens never have that choice. What do we miss when we stay home a day? Most likely the occasional math problems, the U.S history test and of course the millions of notes most of us fail to make up. But what do teens in poor countries miss? Sure they get a day of rest, but they let their family and country down by failing to work for their country’s income, helping their country survive. The teens in these countries seem to take on a lot than the average American teenager. They don’t get a degree after they finish their schooling, if they get any at all. They don’t receive opportunities to fulfill their passions, instead left planting crops and lugging around tons of heavy items more than twice their weight. Many of you may have tuned into last years Exiled on MTV. If so you saw these young adults being forced upon hard labor. They have bigger things to worry about than that Trig problem you can’t seem to solve.

The thing that really gets me at the end of the day is this; why don’t they get their chance? Why do these ungrateful American teenagers not taste the excellent opportunities in front of them, when the teens of unprivileged countries would bite into them at the first sight? How come when they work their very hardest they still don’t get the outcome they deserve?

Next time you’re in class and get a text message, think to yourself “maybe I should wait and actually listen to what the teacher has to say.” Or next time you want to stay home and just be lazy, think of those who don’t have that choice. Those who have to work insane hours of hard labor but don’t even get more than four hours off sent but there are slowly laws coming up to forbid theses labors says, geocities.com grateful for the opportunities that are given day to day and think of those that are underprivileged. Think of all your privileges as an American teen and all the opportunities you are given. Embrace the fact that your possibilities are endless Push yourself and fit to your true standard. Don’t take for granted the things you have and receive.