Interesting viewpoints here, as always. A few comments.
Math is a tool just like anything else. It really depends on what you're going to do. I could argue that everyone should understand algebra. I could also argue that everyone should have studied art and music. Each of those end up being useful for different things. Society has largely determined that the direct value of business/math/science is higher, but frankly the indirect value of art/music is totally under-valued. STEM is a misguided quest. STEAM is what is necessary to have an innovative workforce.
When I was an undergrad I switched from a music major to chemistry. Mostly because I was nervous about the prospect of making a living from music, and knew I liked and could make a living teaching chemistry. No, I certainly wouldn't get rich teaching but that has never been a driver in my family or my life. In retrospect it was the right and the wrong choice. I no doubt make much more now than I likely would be with the music degree. That said, I still regret not double majoring and perhaps taking a few more artistic risks earlier on.
At some point I decided that I liked the prospect of teaching at university level better than K-12, and to do that you need a phd. I also had the option of going to med school. Almost all of the best students in the chemistry department (which was small, about 10 grads/year) went to med school. I remember bringing the topic up with my advisor - my organic prof and research mentor. I loved her - she was one tough woman. Interned in Manzanita as a teen (Japanese, though born in SF), earned her phd at Harvard in the 50's, and was a no-BS person. I remember bringing up med school and she peered over her hornrimmed glasses and said in a low growl, "you're not going to waste your talent in medicine." (apologies to our resident docs
) I then said something about being worried about paying back loans, to which she replied with the words that changed my life - "they pay you to go to grad school in the science."
Pay me to go to school? Sign me up!
As for "useless degrees," frankly MBAs are beginning to get that way. Seems that everyone wants to be in the business of making money instead of making things. And at some point that is unsustainable.
As for teaching, I likely will end up going back to the classroom in some number of years as that is still my first love. But I need to make enough money to cover my son's college first...