Mathematics Education Challenges - Traditional math education relies heavily on coercion and requirements, potentially undermining creative use of math in STEM fields [16][18] - Using mathematics as a gatekeeper and intelligence test leads to adverse consequences, including math anxiety [13][20] - Students often question the relevance of required math courses, highlighting a need for better justification [14][15] Proposed Solutions - Reduce math requirements to the absolute minimum necessary for practical life skills [24] - Replace coercion with persuasion and enticement to foster genuine interest in mathematics [25] - Stop using math for gatekeeping or intelligence testing to alleviate anxiety and improve learning [25] Alternative Teaching Approach - An advanced special topics class with minimal coercion shows greater student engagement [27][28] - The goal is to improve students' ability to use mathematics creatively and appreciate its value [28]