I just found this post on the Elementary Educator, where the author discusses the way that school curricula have become “sanitized” to not offend anyone by giving children the information to make their own informed opinions that could possibly in contrast to their parents. As a result, we may be creating a generation of students unable to think for themselves.
My question is, what is actually more dangerous for our society? — for children to be brought up not to question the political, religious, or sociological agenda that their parents have inculcated them in birth and leave them vulnerable to lessons in contrast to the mainstream culture? — OR, to run the risk of having schools and teaches possibly influence a child’s independent decision-making by providing them with materials and allowing discussion of sensitive topics, such as evolution, abortion, affirmative action, etc.?
Interesting question Jay. Well correct me if i am wrong, but i think that students from elementary and middle schools and even from High schools to some extent are not capable of grasping a controversial subject fully. Firstly, it is just not possible to introduce to them every angle and point of view of a controversial topic either because of the time constraint or because of lack of interest on student's part. So, with limited knowledge how can one expect them to make up their minds about the raging controversies? Secondly, isnt the primary objective of teaching is to introduce a student to a variety of topics, clear the mess in his head and encourage him to do research before forming a definite opinion about something? The process of forming an opinion about a specific issue may take years and this fact should be accentuated. (contd)
So i think schools should loosen up, do their job of teaching and guiding students on issues, and tell them that there is more to the topic than what they have been told, so before forming their opinion they should research it first. What schools and teachers should never do, is, to withhold information from the students so that the students form a lopsided view mirroring the teacher's endorsement.
Faiza – I have some problems with what you are saying, here. First of all, we don't truly know how much a student can grasp a controversial topic or not. It is more than likely that his opinions on a matter will change as they get older – that's natural as more experiences influence him. Just because his grasp of the material may be different from that of an adult who has had a lifetime of experiences, and already formed a more solid opinion doesn't mean that a child's opinion is any less valid or fully formed simply because he is younger. It is still appropriate for his level of development.
Secondly, people (adults) make up their minds on "raging controversies" using "limited knowledge" every day. Have we so quickly forgotten what George Bush, Colin Powell, and Hillary Clinton all said about going to war in Iraq? They formed an opinion, and made a decision with the best information they had at the time. Just because we don't have time to give students all angles of an issue doesn't mean that we leave some topics as completely taboo. I flat out disagree that lack of interest is a reason for not pursuing certain topics deeper. Yes, not all students will be interested in all topics to the same degree – again, human nature that will be found in any group of people. But, that is no reason to stop students from exploring topics on their own.
I agree that schools should not be mirroring the teacher's opinions, but rather teaching students that different people have different points of view, and even though they may be in conflict, we can still work together and nobody's is more or less valid than anyone else's. That mutual respect for different views will affect them for their whole life and also give them the freedom to form their own opinions.
You are right Jay, in saying that adults form opinions based on incomplete knowledge as well. And also that a child's opinion is appropriate for his age and thus equally important and valid. And i never implied that some topics should be left un-pursued or declared completely taboo because of a student's lack of interest or time constraint. What i consider important, and i repeat, is that schools should be unafraid to encourage students to think about issues and seek more information on their own, irrespective of what their parents think or what the general population says. The students should also be taught to be flexible and to be open to the endless other views and possibilities. They should be taught that whatever they conclude about a particular issue is acceptable, accepted and encouraged, BUT their thought process should have the ability to grow and evolve ,always!
I agree 100%