This is why children spend most of their childhood growing up in school. The education they receive at that time will stay with them throughout their lives. Today, it is essential that every man, woman and child have a basic education to survive in society. Reading, writing, and even understanding simple arithmetic must be learned to accomplish the simplest tasks, like going to the grocery store to buy food. A decent education through high school and even college must be obtained to become a highly productive member of society. An educated community is able to prosper and flourish much better than a community that has received little or no education. The most important outcomes of education are its positive impact on the health of a society and the economic gains it provides.