Maybe a little defensive?

Question

but I think the school system is failing for 2 reasons. First, we are teaching children only facts, relying on rote memorization of facts, instead of teaching them how to think abstractly and on topics that have no right or wrong answer (like religion, any coincidence between fact-feeding in schools and a polarized society like we have today? Right and wrong, black and white. Think about it...) Secondly, the schools feign responsibility for teaching personal matters to children and everyone says it's the parents job. Who here has kids and only one income (assuming mom and dad are together)? It's almost impossible today. Two incomes are almost obligatory and parents hardly have time to wash and feed their kids, let alone discuss religion with them (if they decide to).

We can continue to say it's someone else's responsibility to teach our kids this and that (sex ed, religion, morals in general) but in the meantime, NO ONE is teaching them these things (in too many cases).

Should we pin the responsibility to already overworked parents for development of morals in their kids? Is it then their fault if it isn't developed?

I agree it is their "fault", but it becomes our collective responsibility (as a society) to accomodate such adults in our society. Are we, therefore, not catering to the weakest and most unfit of our society? Where morals are not taught, but they are expected? And if they are not taught, it becomes the responsibility of the society they enter into?

Every one says it's the parents fault, and I agree. But it becomes all of our burden if it happens. When can we do something to correct it, because everyone has to admit it happens all too often.

As for facts in school, what is factual about anything art? Who was the greatest composer of all time? Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn? All good choices, but subjective. ABSOLUTELY there is room for opinion in schools. We aren't teaching children how to form them, and tehrein lies the problem.

Expose kids to possible opinions and let them learn which ones work for them, and they learn HOW to make choices when there is no right or wrong answer. That is what is NOT being taught.

Answer 1

Well if the schools feel it's the parents responsibility & the parents make the excuses that they don't have time to teach them & it should be the school's responsibility... then where does the responsibility lay? The churches? Governments? Outside agencies that drain tax payers money to educate kids on these personal matters? No way!

Where did children learn from before there were schools? The teachings of their parents, of course! Why should the schools take FULL responsibility for teaching EVERYTHING that the child needs to live? What then is the parent's responsibility? Just to support & provide? There are lessons in life that should be taught by the parents. Not having time is only an excuse in many cases. My step father never took care of his sonw hen he was an infant because he claimed he "never had time" but every weekend all he did was sit on the couch watching TV while my sister, mother & I raised him. Everything he learned he learned from us.

In my opinion schools should be about facts and nothing else. I've seen so many parents these days pawning responsibility for their children on everyone else but themselves!! They blame the TV & movies for violence, they blame the music for violence, they blame the schools for violence..... they blame everyone for their children's problems/education/behavior/actions but themselves.

Good parents MAKE the time to talk to their children about issues they feel are important. It's the parents' responsibility not the school's!

Edit: I don't know what school you went to, but nobody in my music or art classes told me anything about who was the "best"..... they talked about who was the most popular..... but popularity is definitely not the same as who is "best of all time." Exposing children to other opinions only teaches them that nobody has the same opinion about everything. Children are quite good at developing their own opinions on things. They do not need a teacher to tell them that beethoven is the best composer of all time for them to listen for themselves and make their own determination.

What, as a society, should we do, pray tell to help these parents so they have the time for their children? How can we change the fact that they're overworked & underpaid and have to have 2 jobs to survive? Hell, i've been trying to get a raise at my job for almost a year now and they give me a hard time about it..... How would i go about helping these overworked people get a better job? Should society help fund courses to get these people better educations so they can get better paying jobs? Oh wait, they already do that! Most vocational colleges offer government financial aid, scholarships, and federal student loans for people to get themselves a better career. What more do they need? Do we have to go to these people's houses to force them to do something to better themselves so they have time to teach their children about sex and religion?

Answer 2

If the kids aren't being taught the basics (and I don't include religion in that) at home, it is not the school's responsibility to raise them right. We're a two working parent household, and I still teach my kids about everything they need to know in life. I accept no excuses from parents who use the tv as a babysitter. It's their own fault when the kids grow up to less than their potential.

Answer 3

Our schools seem to be teaching children what to think instead of how to think. I would say that there is to much of a state sponsored moral agenda in the system at this time, not to little.

The happiest combination would be the teaching of both facts and critical thinking. Sadly, the later has come solely from myself, a signal parent until just recently.

Answer 4

I stay at home with my son right now, and I have planned my career around being there for him. My sister has planned her life likewise. There just arent a whole lot of jobs that are conveniant for parents with any room at all to grow : /
But the ultimate responsibility is always laid at the feet of the parents, just like the captain of a ship. Just like everything else in this country, its something deeply wrong in the core of our system and if we would all get together and say, 'we DEMAND that companies alter a portion of jobs available for a schedule compatible with schools!' It could change everything... but we won't because we're too busy bickering with each other in Y!A : (
Beyond that I suppose you could blame the government for not trying to stem cost of living prices for the country, but the fact is WE created our economy to be this way and now WE have to figure out how to make it work, especially as parents. So... why aren't we? Just my 2 cents- thanks for this thought provoking question : )

Answer 5

Ultimately it is the parents responsibility to see that their children are properly taught. When the schools fail -it "is" the parents fault for not cleaning out the school system. We can not blame a broken down screwed up school system that does not work for our children being dysfunctional in every way-this is our responsibility. We need to shut down the public school system -it can not be fixed. We need to start over at ZERO (0).

Answer 6

a parent has a responsibility to teach their kids morals weather they are working or not ,that cant be used as a excuse to put it on someone else,you find the time to teach and also your example as a parent is the best way to teach,people always find time for what is really important to them,too many parents today do not accept the responsibility that they chose to bring into the world

Answer 7

As the first person stated, "Religious teaching is indoctrinational, not abstracted." This is my opinion as well. Children would not learn to think for themselves by being indoctrinated. The opposite would be the result.

You are talking about children as though they are all on the same level. In the United States, a human is considered a child until the age of 18 years, and children attend required school from age 4 or 5 until they graduate high school. So you are making a very broad suggestion by saying that you believe children should be taught religion. Do you honestly think that an eight year old, for example, should have a course load that consists of, let's say, Judaism, Islam, Wicca, Scientology, various branches of Christianity, Hinduism, etc...? But yet you have said that we shouldn't make adult choices for them? A bit of a contradiction, isn't it?

Teaching children a bunch of unnecessary courses will not help them to think for themselves. You're right in saying that we shouldn't rely on rote memorization, but the school system can correct the problem by teaching in a different manner. There are ways to teach math, english, science, etc..., without relying on rote memorization. These subjects can be taught in a manner which requires analyzing, evaluating, problem solving, etc...

I had to crack up when I read this response from someone:
"...that's what school is for - facts. opinions are not to be taught"
-----But this person is correct. Parents don't send their children to school to have the opinions of others shoved down their throats. And it's definitely not the function or responsibility of the school system.

"I agree it is their "fault", but it becomes our collective responsibility (as a society) to accomodate such adults in our society. Are we, therefore, not catering to the weakest and most unfit of our society? Where morals are not taught, but they are expected? And if they are not taught, it becomes the responsibility of the society they enter into?"
-----I disagree with you. It isn't my responsibility, or anyone else's, to accomodate parents who neglect to teach their children. As I said in response to another one of your questions, some responsibility does fall upon the school system since the government requires that children attend school. But the school system isn't responsible for raising children. What you are suggesting is that parents house, feed, and clothe children and leave the rest to the school system. I can't agree with that. Not only is it not the responsibility of the school system to raise children, it's also impossible to cater to the needs of all children who are not being taught by their parents while also having time to teach the basics.

"As for facts in school, what is factual about anything art?"
----Nothing at all. But force feeding children with the opinions and beliefs of others can be completely avoided by teaching art. Likewise, allowing them to make adult decisions too soon can be completely avoided. And art helps children to think for themselves, because they are free to be imaginative and creative.

"Expose kids to possible opinions and let them learn which ones work for them, and they learn HOW to make choices when there is no right or wrong answer. That is what is NOT being taught."
-----I completely agree with you about this. But religious classes are not necessary in order to teach children how to make wise decisions, think for themselves, and form opinions. An unbiased debate course, for example, would work well. And you're leaving out other important information that should be taught to children (when old enough to comprehend)- college/trade school preparation, work force preparation, budgeting, check writing, credit, disease awareness, cooking, etc... Personally, I think teaching children how to budget and write checks is more important than teaching them how to solve 65a + 10b = 25 * 32c
And I think preparing them for college, trade school, and the work force is more important than teaching them that Muslims pray to Allah and that Christians think Jesus is Lord.

Answer 8

It is the parents responsibility and therefore the parents fault. If you can't raise your kids right, don't have kids. And maybe quit spending so much money on the big house , suburban, golf club membership, etc. and spend a little time with your kids. Church wouldn't hurt either.

Answer 9

Yes I agree that parents can do more than fact-feeding. Hugs and kisses can do a lot more than we could ever imagine. All we need is love, especially the growing children.

Answer 10

Get real. Me an my wife both work. We still have several hours every day to spend with our daughter. We also have all weekend, every weekend; most with both of us, but always at least one.

If you can't find time to teach your children anything, you probably shouldn't have them. If no one is teaching them these things it IS the parents fault.