Should good manners be taught in the schools?

Question

I know a similar quest. has been asked before and I agree that the parents are responsible. But, as someone said, many of the parents aren't doing it. Think who will be running the country 30 yrs. from now. I've seen blank looks on faces when some people, even adults are called down. They really don't know! Wouldn't it help if the kids had a short class on it every day in grade school? And not just 'please and thank you'. They should discuss general consideration for others. I remember being taught telephone etiquette as a child in school. Any other ideas on this?

I am not really talking about forks and napkins or any such formalities. I'm talking being considerate of other people. And not doing appalling things like combing hair at the table. Not reaching across others to get what they want, etc. The formality can come later.

Teachers, I understand the constraints on your time. I am not criticising you. I think this should come from higher up - the school board, government, etc. I don't see why good manners couldn't be incorporated with grammar, etc. I think you know what I mean. And again, I know it's basically the parents responsibility and some of them are doing it well but, many aren't. I'm just concerned about the future of this country. I think children should receive grades for good manners too. Maybe that would make some parents think about it. We need to try something!

Answer 1

Good manners should absolutely be taught at school! A well rounded education should not only teach you general facts and knowledge, but also how to apply them in the real world so that a child can grow to be a strong adult. Manners, respect and general consideration for others are imparative to success in the real world as an adult. And, when taught as a child- these qualities are much more likely to stick! I do agree that parents should do all they can to enrich their child's education at home and to emphasise or study further the areas that are important to their own personal family and lifestyle. Unfortunately, not all parents follow through with these responsibilities and schools should do the best they can to completely cover the basics. Manners is, in my book- a necessity for success!!

Answer 2

As a teacher, I can tell you that, unfortunately, the schools don't see this as a priority. In many schools, art, music, gym, and recess are no longer taught or are once a week subjects/activities. Social studies and science have also been pushed to the side. No Child Left Behind emphasizes reading and language arts. I taught in an elementary school last year. From the time school starts until the end of the day, there are 6 1/2 hours. Language Arts (spelling, reading, writing, grammar)had to be 2 1/2 hours a day, math 1 1/2 hours a day. We also had to follow a particular reading curriculum which dictated exactly what could be taught, when, for how long, etc. so you couldn't mesh the reading with, say, social studies. This was dictated by the district. So, that's four hours right there. Thirty minutes for lunch, and forty-five minutes for one of the specials (music, art, etc.). Recess was a mandated 30 minutes a day (thankfully, as many kids don't get recess anymore). That leaves me 45 minutes to teach both social studies and science. That assumes there are no "special events" that day (they pop up more than you'd expect). Adding a "manners" class, while a nice idea, will never fly when many of the basics are being pushed aside. The best we can do is toss it in during teachable moments. :-/

Answer 3

It is unfortunate that some parents do not take the initiative to teach their children good manners. I think that the biggest mistake on the part of parents, however, is not that they do not introduce the importance of such manners, but that they do not enforce them. In this way, a teacher should also be responsible for teaching their students proper behavior, since they spend so much time with the children. If an elementary school teacher takes his/her job seriously, they will advise children how to behave when any type of situation comes up: how to eat during snack time, how to clean up after an art project, how to work together on a project, respect adults and peers, and even how to offer sympathy to a classmate who has lost a loved one. If a teacher does this, a class wouldn't be needed and it would make sense because how can one instruct children and not address these topics when they come up?

Answer 4

While the burden lays mainly on the parents, I, as teacher in middle school, reinforce many common sense manners. I especially do the gentlemen holding doors for ladies, etc. The first week or so of school I usually lay the foundations of what respect will look like in my classroom, after that I just don't have time. The focus is way to weighted towards standardized testing that I need to focus my teaching on that vs. etiquette.

As a parent, I constantly find "teachable moments" to show my son good manners. We talk about what is okay to say at home, and not so much outside of the house, or when we have company. What is okay to laugh about and not. That is my job as a mother! Besides basic housekeeping, which is also a lesson in good manners, I have to teach my son to be a responsible, productive member of society, and he can't do that by being rude!

Answer 5

I have to say that good manners SHOULD be taught at home. That being said, it isn't. Too many parents are dropping the ball on this one. Last year when our son was in the 4th grade, my husband & I catered a formal sit down dinner for the class. We wanted to introduce proper etiquette. We were stunned that many of these 9yr old had no idea that a napkin belonged on their laps. They were also lost about the proper use of silverware. Not just which fork to use, but how to properly hold the utensil. Many of them used the silverware like a shovel! I was appalled. By the end of the meal, at least they knew how to properly hold a fork!

Answer 6

As a teachers' assistant in one of the richest sections of the U.S. (CT), I agree with you. These kids have such a feeling of entitlement and are so spoiled that I get disgusted at times. I work with very young grade schoolers and not only encourage, but demand, they use proper etiqutte. Weather they speak to me or a peer, everyone is the same. I advocate the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated, etc. Some kids catch on and start to change, you actually see it, and others act the way they do because their parents perpetuate bad behavior by being lazy and selfish themselves. It's an ongoing battle and a work in progress.

Answer 7

This should definitely be taught somewhere because I think most people in the world are too self-centered. I see this more and more as I get older, so it would seem that parents are failing. It would be a bad idea for it to be taught in school...preferably when the kids are old enough to comprehend and use the skills they are taught.

Answer 8

Yes. I think manners and ettiqutte shoudl be taught in schools. Parents don't seem to be doing it. I'm 23 and growing up my parents always made sure we had good manners. Needs to be taught for sure. So many rude young people around. I also think disability awareness needs to be taught in all schools.

Answer 9

They should be taught at home and school. Some parents don't make the effort to teach manners anymore.

Answer 10

Good manners start in the home and should be practiced in the schools.Teachers need good behavior from all children they teach in order to have a productive day in the classroom.