Can morality be taught in public schools? Should it be?

Question

If morality and responsibility were stressed more than how to apply a condom do you think it would make a difference? Could it make a difference in other areas like drug abuse also?

Answer 1

In my kids school morals and ethics are taught in religious education ... along with "every" religion
it is an amazing school and im happy to say they have helped my kid become a very mature and responsible kid

this is from her school web site to explain the class

Religious and Moral Education is concerned with informing the pupils of the great religious traditions which have shaped our present society and world communities over the past 5 thousand years.

However, RME is also concerned with the individual moral development of our pupils and seeks to promote the important values of tolerance, understanding and equality between peoples of all faiths, cultures and ethnicities and non-believers alike.

Answer 2

Morality is already taught in public schools and has been for many years! At my kids' school, they teach them they shouldn't steal or cuss. They should follow directions and use polite words. They shouldn't fight or yell. They should discuss. They should obey teachers instructions. They shouldn't ignore people. They should show respect to each other. These are just a few of the morals my kids' learn at their public school. I'm sure there are many others. The rest are taught at home. And yes, of course it will make a difference... I work with kids and can always tell who has and hasn't been taught morals. Those that haven't always seem to have alot of issues going on in their life and it's very sad...

Be blessed.

Answer 3

The real question is "Can morality be taught without the inclusion of various religious beliefs." I believe it can. Unitarians would say so. Original Buddhism rejects gods but is an extremely moral religion that teaches how people can deal with the suffering in our world. The problem seems to be coming from religious people who hold that we will make bad choices if we don't include the teachings of their religions. I believe that this limits man's ability to discern between right or wrong. Also, I believe that many coreligionists believe that their way 'is the only way.' It is debatable as to whether they are really concerned about the welfare of people or are on yet another power trip. People make profound decisions every day. It is demeaning to man to think that he can't be taught could lessons on how to take care of his body.

Answer 4

That really depends upon your definition of morality. Morality in its simplest form is ethics. Ethics can be taught. Religion should not be applied to ethics in a public school setting.
Most places do not teach how to "apply a condom."--Maybe more should.

Who is to teach this responsibility that you propose. People like my male high school gym teacher that would constantly come into the girls locker room supposedly checking for cigarette smokers. Teachers like my old middle school teacher that was just convicted for molesting an innumerable amount of boys over the years. People like my old vice principal that would have sex with a different HS girl each term?

Answer 5

Morality should be taught in schools. The morality should reflect the morality of the parents.

Government has no business in the field of education. Doesn't anyone see the conflict of interest: government schools=political indoctrination?

Schools need to be independent of government. Parents should select the school that teaches beliefs that they agree with. If parents want their children taught evolution, they can send them to a schools that teaches it. Parents believing in Creation can send their children to a school that teaches Creation.

It's all about freedom. Freedom is based on the rights of the individual, not the tyranny of the majority.

Answer 6

I'd like to think that putting the condom on is more moral than not using one at all.

Morality isn't exclusive to just on part of our society. Wether it's pop culture, religion, family, litterature etc they all shape ones sense of morality. The fact is morality is already taught in schools. It just may not be your version of morality but guess what? Your version doesn't work for other people either.

Sexual education has helped decrease the spread of STDs not just in the United States but around the world. Now I know this may be difficult for you to grasp but not everyone views sex as a negative thing. This includes people who were raised to believe so because people can develop their own morality despite what their family or school or culture or govt believes. A persons morality is as unique as they are.

There is not all encompassing answer to this. It wouldn't be right to impose one persons morality on another. Wether this is a teachers, a friends or a parents. Sure ones parents have the ultimate say over them under law but all my friends who got knocked up in highschool were raised in christian families. Some were pro contraception some weren't. So in the end it's up to the kid not to have sex and that teenager is going to make the choice for theirself.

This may blow your mind but I also know some people who came from libral families who provided them with condoms who chose not to have sex until marriege.

My schooldistrict taught teens how to have safe sex. This didn't mean that they did. Just as many of their parents told them not to have sex yet they did.

Conclusion: your argument is faulty since it is up to the person to chose how to conduct theirselves. The teenager doesn't have to listen to their parents or school even if both tell them to be chaste. Take a look at the polls of those chaste teens who believe anal sex is ok since the girls are still virgins. Wow what happened to the guys needing to be virgins?

As far as drugs are concerned. Considering the fact that they are used in christian ceremonies (wine) it would be good if someone said to the teens don't drink too much cuz this is what will happen to you if you don't. Alchohaul is the worst drug in this country and it plauges good christian families. So those poor teens may need their school to educate them since their parents come home to unload in front of the TV with a six pack.

But hey atleast they go to church right?

Answer 7

No, probably not. Especially since few teachers would be able to seperate morals and ethics from religion.

I think proper condom use is a much better use of all that time that schools waste not teaching science or writing.

Answer 8

The closest I've seen to a school teaching any kind of morality in the secular environment that they teach, was very close to the eightfold path of Buddhism, not identifying the religion of course, but I recognized it rather quickly. Better than nothing, I suppose.

Answer 9

If morals can be taught without linking them to some concept of God or religion, than I'm all for it.
I have nothing against God. But teaching anything that is God related needs to stay out of the schools. That sort of teaching belongs in the home, and in the church/synagogue/temple/mosque/arbor.

Answer 10

it may be complicated to do those days, absolutely everyone has diverse comments and suggestions as to what they could evaluate ethical. If it have been the old days, it may be extra basic. by utilising this I advise even the 60's as a in all hazard, even then, there have been diverse suggestions as to what's ethical and what isn't. it may be impressive, yet no longer a stable concept those days. I for one am no longer pleased with what the first public faculties prepare those days, fantastically with regard to family contributors and the definition thereof, thankfully, my youngest isn't in one, my oldest had to go through with the aid of it. for this reason I initially had my youngest toddler in a Parochial college, yet by way of precise needs, he had to pass to an particularly expert college. this is a close-by that i think of all private faculties could desire to look at. comparable ingredient is going for coaching faith in public faculties, i'm no longer for it, there are to many diverse suggestions floating around, a number of which i would not accept as true with. I do, although, think of clever layout and/or introduction could desire to study as a concept a minimum of, very in fact. after all, evolution is yet a concept, non believers evaluate introduction or identity to be concept, so why no longer prepare the two. it may be and concept to coach what diverse communities planned to be ethical however. Even then, there is not any longer a a hundred% consensus with something anymore.