When you choose a major in the humanities/arts field, it isn't unusual to receive some backlash from those around you. A few jokes every now and then such as, "Good luck finding a job," or "So you're planning on being unemployed then?" are fine. But the culture of disregarding majors like English, Studio Art, Art History, Language, and Humanities is dangerous because it creates a type of segregation between this and the "sensible" degrees.

First things first, there is no such thing as a "sensible" degree. Any degree is worth something if you have the passion and drive to make it that way. People will tell you that a career in engineering, medicine, etc will be much more profitable in the long run; they'll try to convince you, saying you'll be more financially secure if you stick to these areas. While these arguments are not untrue, it also reflects a limited knowledge on the successes individuals have with a bachelor of arts degree. Why do we chose to focus on the "starving writer/artist" model when discouraging students instead of telling them they could be Pulitzer Prize winners, professors, or translators?

For some reason we choose to assume that getting a job in the humanities field is more difficult than one in mathematics/scientific when that is complete nonsense. Your major does not guarantee you your dream career no matter what it is.

In the end, college is supposed to be a place where you are free to express yourself and delve into various different subjects in order to find your true passion. We shouldn't create a divide between those who chose a route unlike the other and never refer to another major as "dumb" or "useless" because it doesn't fit the typical mold.