People back then just needed to learn one skill, say baking. Then they ply that trade for their lives. Our economy changes so fast that we need more generalize

People back then just needed to learn one skill, say baking. Then they ply that trade for their lives. Our economy changes so fast that we need more generalized skills to adapt. If you were apprenticed as a telephone operator, what would you have done? So we learn math, science, communication, etc. Kids are absolutely right - much of it you will never use to make money. But if you learn how to learn, then that will help make you successful no matter where you go.