It is an issue sure to engender debate – should values be taught in schools?
If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really
debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish
to learn.
Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what
values they wish to be taught in school – respect for others, fairness,
racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage.
It is an issue sure to engender debate – should values be taught in schools?
If so, what values? Whose values? Apparently, however, the only ones really
debating those questions are the adults. The kids are clear on what they wish
to learn.
Indeed, a recent Gallup Poll found strong agreement on young people on what
values they wish to be taught in school – respect for others, fairness,
racial acceptance, honesty, moral courage.
Some may find the results surprising in a time when so much focus falls on
the question of what is wrong with modern young people. They also offer a challenge.
In the Gallup poll, young people were offered a list of personal traits and
values that might be taught in public schools and asked whether they thought
the particular value should or should not be taught in their school. Results
of the poll were published in the June issue of Youthviews, a monthly newsletter
of the Gallup organization.
The newsletter reported that at least 90 percent of American teenagers agreed
on a core of seven
values that should be taught in schools – respect for others (96 percent);
fairness in dealing with others (92 percent); acceptance of people of different
races and ethnic backgrounds (92 percent); persistence or the ability to follow
through (91 percent); self esteem (91 percent); honesty (91 percent); and industry
and hard work (90 percent).
At least 80 percent of teenagers agreed six other values should
be taught in schools as well -civility and politeness (87 percent); high
expectations for oneself (84 percent); moral courage (84 percent); democracy
(83 percent); acceptance of people who hold different religious beliefs (82
percent); and caring for friends and family members (81 percent).
At least 70 percent of American teenagers surveyed in the poll
agreed that three other values should be taught as well – compassion for
others (79 percent); the Golden Rule (75 percent); and patriotism, love of country
(72 percent).
A total of 59 percent of teenagers said sexual abstinence outside
of marriage should be taught in public schools.
Only one value on the list fell below that level – and
below majority support by young people. Just 44 percent of American teenagers
surveyed said that thrift should be taught in schools.
While the poll does not speak at all to the concern about who
would teach such values and what approach would be taken, it does offer a clear
– and challenging – word about modern young people.
Simply put, if American teenagers believe core values should
be taught in schools, does that not indicate an openness on the part of them
to learn such values?
And does it not also indicate that American teenagers may not
be as amoral as some observers suggest – that they know a good value when
they see it?
However, if modern teenagers understand the importance of values
and are open to instruction in that area, why has there been an obvious erosion
of core beliefs that hold a culture together?
And why is there so much moral confusion among young people?
Perhaps a clue comes in comments by Kay Hymowitz, author of
“Ready or Not: Why Treating Children as Small Adults Endangers Their Future
and Ours.” Hymowitz discussed her book – and the plight of American
children – on a recent Mars Hill Audio Journal, a bi-monthly audio magazine
that focuses on contemporary culture and Christianity.
In the brief discussion, Hymowitz agreed there is a crisis
regarding childhood in America – but she suggested the fault does not lie
with the kids.
“The collapse of childhood that we seem to be witnessing
now is very tightly connected to a misunderstanding – or you might even
say a collapse – of the notion of adulthood,” Hymowitz insisted.
“Traditionally, and really throughout human history,
adults were understood to have the responsibility of carrying on their culture’s
values and traditions and passing them down to the next generation.
“Now, obviously in a mobile and fast-changing country
like the United States, it’s a little more complicated than that and the
traditions that are handed down are not quite as stable and set as they might
be in more traditional cultures.
“Nevertheless, there was this job out there that only
adults could do,” Hymowitz explained. “The very definition of adulthood,
in my understanding of it, is the protection, the nurturing and the socialization
of the next generation. And by socialization, I mean not just preventing people
from committing murder and mayhem out there but also teaching children the ways
of their specific culture.”
Unfortunately, however, many modern parents have reinterpreted
their role as more of being a friend and an advocate of their children, Hymowitz
pointed out. They do not see themselves so much as a moral and socializing authority,
she said.
In other words, they have forsaken their role as a teacher
of values.
Perhaps that is why so many kids are morally adrift and confused.
Perhaps that is why – when asked – they are so adamant
about the need for teaching values in local schools.
Perhaps it is because they simply are not learning them anywhere
else.
And therein lies the challenge that modern adults must not
fail to meet.
– C. Lacy Thompson