> so much of what students actually pick up is how to function in a peer group and society at large
It teaches students how to function in an unnatural, dysfunctional, often toxic environment and as adults many have to spend years unlearning the bad habits they picked up. It also takes many years to learn as adults they shouldn't put up with the kind of bad treatment from bosses and peers that they had no way to distance themselves from in school.
I agree. As far as human interaction goes, school taught me that to anyone who is different has no rights, and that to become successful and popular you should aim to be a bully who puts others down, even through use of violence. Similarly, to protect yourself from bullies violence is the only effective method.
I'm not sure these lessons are what society should be teaching kids.
I find it hard to make impartial judgments about school because of my own personal experiences in school. I think your comment may reflect a similar lack of impartiality.
How do you know that's "unnatural" and not an indicator that it's a very hard problem to organize people to behave in non-toxic, non-exploitive ways?
Many adults, for instance, do end up receiving bad treatment throughout their lives. Not everyone is able to find jobs without that, for instance. Is that simply their fault for not trying hard enough, or learning a bad lesson that they should put up with it, or is it simply easier said than done?
It teaches students how to function in an unnatural, dysfunctional, often toxic environment and as adults many have to spend years unlearning the bad habits they picked up. It also takes many years to learn as adults they shouldn't put up with the kind of bad treatment from bosses and peers that they had no way to distance themselves from in school.