I couldn’t help but be struck by this excerpt from an article about the London Riots:
“… what I am saying is that for all of those who live and work in the poorer areas of London this disaster has been totally unsurprising. The fact of the matter is that we have manufactured within our society a sub-culture of sociopaths who care nothing for anyone or anything but themselves and are wholly unable to empathise with the suffering of others. The people most responsible for creating this social plague are the very same politicians, journalists and social commentators who are now asking “How did this happen?”
I believe that to a lesser extent the Educational system has bought into the plague too. So consumed by its bottom line, so obsessed with the meaningless private vs public school debate and so content to take creative children and force them to conform with a robotic set of rules and regulations, that children get lost in the crowd.
I had a discussion with someone recently about the role of schools. He felt that schools were nothing more than institutions with the responsibility of imparting knowledge. According to him, as long as the school could point to the lessons that were taught and the curriculum that was followed, their job was done.
I believe schools have a far greater responsibility. They must do a lot more than concentrate on prime numbers and single-celled organisms. They must try to ensure that every child has a sense of self and an understanding of how they can use their unique skills and qualities to contribute to society.
It sounds fanciful and “airy fairy” but children today are more obsessed than ever before by wealth, gadgets, appearance and all things materialistic. They spend so much time trying to outlook and outdo others simply because they are not happy with who they are and what they have. The question has to be asked, besides close family members, who helps them to understand and appreciate who they are and what they can achieve?
The media is charged with unsettling them and making them fearful. The advertising industry is charged with making them feel that without products and gadgets they cannot be happy. Where are our kids receiving the positive message they desperately need to hear?
Children often say, “Why should I be good to them if they aren’t to me.” Those participating in the riots seem to be making that statement. Whilst it is absolutely no excuse to do what they have done, one has to wonder who does look after the best interests of our children. Shouldn’t the school system who has our kids throughout their crucial developmental years do more to help them find acceptance in who they are? Shouldn’t the school system encourage them better to be themselves rather than conform?
There is no excuse for people who riot and willfully and violently break laws, but when reflecting on incidents lessons must be learnt. Children that are supported and nurtured don’t riot. Children who are in touch with their unique qualities and have been encouraged and accepted by others don’t riot.
We can go on preparing our students for calculus tests and chemistry assignments, but in a time of need and doubt, our students probably wont turn to calculus or tests tubes for salvation.
Tags: Advertising, Child Development, Class, Class System, Education, life, London Riots, media, Meterialism, News, Parenting, Politics, School, Wealth
Topical Teaching 
August 11, 2011 at 12:58 am |
I agree that these kids today need values. But there are several problems here. Whose values? There is an African American,a Hispanic, a left liberal, a gay rights,a Christian right, and values of white culture. These are several examples but I may not want the teacher indoctrinating my child with aspects of a point of view I may find very objectionable. A real joke in the Miami Dade School is that there are mandatory multicultural curriculum, and say no to drugs, and say no to violence, aids awareness, women’s issues, gay rights issues and the list goes on. I had little chance to teach the history course. And why does a district that is 90% minority and immigrant based need to be studying multiculturalism?
I did an ethics unit once and let the kids come to their own conclusions . I was surprised at the common denominators that were cross cultural especially a sense of basic fairness. Perhaps letting kids develop their own values is the way to go. At least they’ll be thinking about such things.
August 18, 2011 at 5:59 pm |
You didn’t mention parents. I believe that schools do have a responsibility but parents need to step up their game too. I read an article lately about the many young people who had to face court because of the riots and hardly any parents turned up to support the kids. Where are the parents? Teachers can only do so much, and only when kids are in schools. But after 3.30pm and during weekends, who has responsibility over them? I say parents need to do their part. So much has been thrown on shoulders of teachers. At some point… teachers will crumble. And we already are crumbling by the massive amount of pressure and stress!!!