The effect of war on students
War is a
terrifying word. Those who lived during such times were terrified to say the
least. But we, the new generation, thankfully didn’t experience a global chaos
that puts everyone on the edge of their seat. But can you imagine the people
who did? It’s very interesting to read about the individuals who were present
at those times. How they felt, what were they thinking, and most importantly
their part at the time.
The United
States was at war. World War II to be exact. The Daily Collegian in December 18,
1941 stated that they have been accused of publishing too many articles on the
war, which affected the students. But the Daily Collegian made it clear that it is their duty to publish the facts. Even if they are repeated. “As long as the
campus is an integral part of the American Force, we will print news, which is
essential toward winning that conflict.” (The Daily Collegian, 1941).
How did the
war affect the universities? Many students went to war, which was the reason
the number of students dropped dramatically from 1940 to 1945 (Year Book
1944-1946). However, it was great to see that Penn State didn’t change that
much. College started in fall 1940 with the soccer team pulling through it’s
seventh undefeated season in a row.
Comparing
this to the war in Iraq, there’s no competition to what is a greater calamity.
I asked one of my relatives to compare the two. To be exact, I talked to my
aunt about the situation. She stated that very few news articles are being
published about the war in Iraq than what was published during World War II. Actually,
many people don’t know the exact situation that is in Iraq. Including residents
of the Arabian Gulf.
In
conclusion, war, no matter how big, is a disaster. But how it’s being dealt
with by neutral citizens is what makes us stand together. It’s great to see
newspapers, universities, and militaries doing their part. Whether it’s
spreading news or actually fighting in the war, it’s an important role that
should be recognized as heroism.
References:
"We
Strip for Action." The Daily Collegian [State College] 18 Dec. 1941: 2.
Penn State Year Book 1944-1946. 47