Morality, character need larger role in education
FOREIGN VIEWS
In a global society that is increasingly morally bankrupt, how can we protect our children from negative forces while still providing them with opportunities for success?
Part of the answer to this lies in our definition of success.
Is the purpose of our lives to buy a car, a house, luxury items? To have a powerful job? To marry and have a family?
While there is nothing wrong with these goals, is it enough to acquire wealth if we do not spend generously on loved ones and those in need? To have a powerful position, if we abuse this power and do not use it for the good of society? To have a family if we are not faithful spouses and dedicated educators?
As materialism grows in the world unchecked, we are forgetting who we really are as human beings and the true purpose of our lives. There seems to be a vacuum of education about morality and how to live a meaningful life.
Parents, teachers and policy makers are bewildered as to what to teach children, while many of them fall prey to a host of negative forces. As a result of their education, many children do not have an effective framework to help them distinguish right from wrong, wisdom from folly, and true happiness from fleeting pleasure.
The influences on children and youth from the media, technology, family, peers and other social institutions can sometimes be contradictory and confusing, raising questions about identity and purpose.
Desire to be entertained
Moreover, many forces in society that influence children and youth breed passivity and a desire to be entertained. This is the challenge of educating children in this century, regardless of where we live.
The manner in which educational processes are designed to release the potential latent in children, will determine, to a large extent, the future of today’s society and the world our children will inherit.
The education of children should enable them to recognize and develop their potential while fostering in them a desire and capacity to contribute to their community.
In fact, a child will not develop talents and capacities in isolation from others. Many of the problems we see in our society, whether at home or in society at large, comes from a lack of character education — teaching the habits of thought and deed in children based on core ethical values, such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, respect, justice and responsibility.
Through the development of core values, children form the attitudes and conduct that are the foundation of individual fulfillment and can contribute to the betterment of society.
The foundation of all other learning is the development of a sound character, therefore, it needs to be taught to children as early in their life as possible. It should start in the home, continue through the child’s schooling and be reinforced by societal institutions. Parents, teachers and the wider community must be trained in providing this fundamental form of education to the next generation.
Sheri Hansen is the co-founder of Character Education International (CEI). Her book “Conscious Parenting in China: A Selection of 99 Questions and Answers” is becoming available in Chinese as an ebook or paperback later this year. For more information, see http://charactereducationinternational.com
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