Gatto’s claim in “Against School” that the modern system of public education is unnecessary is overly idealistic because it assumes that we live in a meritocracy. He states that “plenty of people throughout the world today find a way to educate themselves without resorting to a system of compulsory secondary schools that all too often resemble prisons” (34). It is valid that secondary schools’ curriculum may be uncreative and not applicable to certain real-life situations. However, Gatto’s claim completely overlooks the current framework of our society, for example how almost all high-paying jobs require a college degree. I would argue that to assume our society is a meritocracy ignores entrenched power structures based on class, race, and gender – one could even claim we are closer to an aristocracy. Because of this, the somewhat arbitrary distinction of school diplomas is (with exceptions) necessary in order to maintain one’s position in society. This is one reason that many parents insist on their child getting a college education – not for the education itself, but because it is a class distinction.

Gatto also conflates materialism / commercialism with childishness, which is not logical. Marketing is not appealing because of uncreative schooling – it is appealing because of psychological and even physiological factors involved in addiction, desire, and satisfaction (that those behind marketing campaigns are acutely aware of). Marketing capitalizes on these known aspects of human nature, which has nothing to do with childishness. We may like to believe that “actual adults” would not be susceptible to these “political exhortations and commercial blandishments,” but that is simply not how our brains and bodies work.