The studies of the economic plight of American youth appearing recently have meaning for all college students. One of them, prepared by the American Youth Commission, is nation-wide and represents conclusions of experts. The other, a scientific polling of a cross-section of New York youth by the Y.M.C.A., states the beliefs of the youths themselves. Though the two reports take different methods of approach they reach the same conclusion--there is a definite need for more vocational training today. And their conclusion is further evidence of a dangerous trend in American educational method.

Both groups favor government-created jobs having additional vocational training as a means to end the pessimism of youth. Such a proposal can be interpreted in two ways. If additional training is to be supplementary to the present amount of cultural education, it will serve a useful purpose. Although ideally unlimited opportunities for advanced education are desirable, practically, because of the continued prevalence of low incomes, this is impossible for a large percentage of the population. Thus any increase in the sum total of all education, provided the present standards of culture are kept as a minimum, is extremely valuable.

If, however, increased vocational training takes the place of cultural education either is schools or in colleges, it is definitely undesirable. Such a movement would greatly telescope the teaching of liberal arts in our high schools. In the colleges increased practical training would replace the present theoretical approaches. Such a plan has been suggested by many educators, but its inception would have grave consequences for American democracy.

Creation of a great mass of vocationally trained people on the one hand and a comparatively small group of culturally educated persons on the other, would tend to destroy the unifying force in American democracy. For one of the bases of democracy is a common, diversified education. Education along these lines enables all classes of men to communicate with each other, to govern themselves, to lead richer lives. Abolish or seriously restrict a cultural education and the common bond of free men disintegrates.