[dbough]

I'd have to agree on the gender role issue. I'm a father of two daughters and want them to be whatever they want to be. I don't agree with the statement that everyone needs to learn how to code, or the fact that language and art are a waste of time. If everyone knew and did the same things, the world would kinda suck (and finding a good paying job would be impossible.)

[magmadiver]

> I don't agree with the statement that[...]language and art are a waste of time

I agree with you, they're excellent hobbies.

[FN0rdique]

I'd go with "foundational parts of the human experience," but feel free to dismiss them as "hobbies," I guess.

[clusterfoo]

> I'd go with "foundational parts of the human experience"

But not necessarily professions. The notion of "professional artist" is fairly recent. Most of the great artists, pre-20th century, had day jobs: from Chaucer (diplomat, astronomer) to Lewis Carroll (Mathematician).

And, if anything, I'd think that art not being a profession only made their art better. I mean, how much can someone who all he does is write all day can possibly have to say?

Take Asimov, for example. I wonder how interesting his science fiction would have turned out had he not been, first and foremost, an actual scientist?