We are not taught classes on character qualities and ideals, love and relationships, or even conscious communication in our school systems, miserably at relationships and marriage so it's no wonder why we fail so miserably at relationships and marriage. --Bess O'Connor, Ayurvedic and Holistic Health PractitionerThis quote just made me angry when I read it. It only lasted for about thirty seconds, but I can get my gorge to rise again just by looking at it.
Really are we to assume that the only place anyone learns anything, especially about life in the real world, is in school?
Maybe the article had something useful to say, but I was too prejudiced by this bit in the introduction that I struggled to keep an open mind.
I guess I still have work to do on acceptance and a non-judgemental attitude.
Many have unrealistic expectations of what should be taught in our school system.
ReplyDeleteI get your point, and I'm not so sure about this particular issue; but our schools have been asked to teach more and more as the social sciences have developed new knowledge and insights into these issues even as parents and families are arguably less equipped to teach some of the old-fashioned virtues.
ReplyDeletei am just not willing to give the "village" a pass on this. I also think that schools do make an effort to teach about character.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that those who are not given the instructions at home are the ones saying the school should do it. First of all you teach children by example so get with the program parents. It is also hard for all the working parents to find the time. If they don't make the time, they may end up with children they don't like very much.
ReplyDeleteAnd one more thing. The Grandson is always asking me why I am telling him this "stuff." Because one day you will need to know it and I will not be standing beside you that day to tell you. So hear it now. Let it steep and grow inside you and then it will come out on its own.
ReplyDeleteI tend to believe that children learn more about character and relationships in their family settings. My parent's marriage was one of convenience not love, yet both mom and dad taught us a lot about perseverance and strength.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect my children's teachers to provide life lessons, but rather to encourage them to be the best they could be.
Naw, you don't need an attitude adjustment. You are correct to judge this harshly.
ReplyDeleteFirst, character is taught in school. Any time you have that many bodies in close proximity, you need rules for social conduct. Teachers, at least most, model patience, acceptance, and kindness and encourage perseverance, all valuable character traits. I could go on.
Secondly, when formal character building curriculum have been adopted, they are invariably challenged by parents who object to "social engineering". "I will tell my children how I want them to think and act!"
Thirdly, schools even attempt to teach social skills because so many homes are lacking in such expectations. Parents abdicate responsibility, then object when they or their children are "corrected".
It's a no-win situation for public schools. They do a remarkable job given the circumstances.
I'm not a teacher but I'm always shocked when I hear people voice this opinion. They want the schools to teach all things and be all things and then they strip the schools of every bit of funding they can and then begin talking about doing away with education at the federal level.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking you can teach what you want at school but unless the families are also working on the same goals and supportive of the schools there won't be a lot of success. I think parents should take seriously their job of teaching and guiding their children through life. Supporting good public schools is one of the best investments this country could make. Still doesn't take the place of parents, isn't suppose to take the place of parents.
Actually I remember our school starting to teach character building and conflict management. We had one program called Character Counts that taught 6 Pillars: Trustworthiness; Respect; Responsibility; Fairness; Caring; and Citizenship.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I believe schools do try to teach some of this, but it has to be reinforced at home just as Linda says.
It is amazing that people think schools should take over all the roles of parenting. How lazy and dangerous is that?
ReplyDeleteBoth of my daughters teach school. They recently said they think it would be easier if babies were just handed over at birth and schools raised them until they are 18 then they can be returned to their parents.
ReplyDeleteMy children told me that I "cursed them with a conscience".
ReplyDeleteI do think everything is blamed on the schools or the teachers these days and parents really do need to bear some of the responsibility! Lately I have just seen too many parents who seem to be oblivious of their children!
ReplyDeleteI see you commenting but you haven't posted on your blog for a while. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteSchools have a duty to make sure that every child is treated equally and encouraged to participate fully . Bullying must not be tolerated ... or ignored .
ReplyDeleteBut it's unfair to expect them to take care of the whole parenting thing ... and do we really want uniform children ?