Should Morals Be Taught In Our Schools?

[Ayo Jehlani Ashanti]

It seems that many adults have trouble making moral decisions. Many believe that you can make your own script as you go in life. With prayer being taken out of the schools and very little moral teaching in the home, should the school take up ethical, moral teaching?

[Laura]

I remember that when I was in 3rd grade(1974)..my teacher in the morning exercises... would read us a part of the bible, then relate to us in a way that 3rd graders could get it....and then would explain to us the words(definitions etc) used.....we would pledge allegiance to flag, and have silent meditation for prayer before the school day even started....just think...I wonder how many so called hyper kids, or learning challenged kids truly arent, but just not taught ethics and morals form the home....I am saddened by the way things have been done throughout the yrs in education.....I worked in our school when my boys were lil and I was rudely awakened by what limitations the teachers have with many issues that was handled with love back then.....I was told never to hug a child alone.....they could report you...I thought how sad.....thats just what many kids need today...love

[Ayo Jehlani Ashanti]

Laura, I also remember that many of my teachers at schools also taught Sunday School at my church. Now, teachers are not necessarily a part of our church communities.

[Laura]

they face burn out too quickly...I saw this in the public school...they have so many restraints, be it financial or structural in their curriculum...I saw that our school hadnt allowed Christ in Christmas....they had to be politically safe there......and when they do discipline or try to...they face parents who say....you cant do that to my kid....its sad...I remember if I had gotten in trouble at school I didnt want to go home cause you knew the 2nd round would start when you got there, and that wasnt going to be fun at all, as they backed up the teacher....now that teacher has to defend what they do...they really are strapped in conditions.....dont get me wrong, Im sure there are some out there who shouldnt be teaching, but the majority are good, but confined by legality

[GAIL]

Yes, I do believe that the schools should take on moral teaching. More importantly I think they should take on behavior/attitude! I would like to see how kids can learn about "ANGER, RAGE" and how to deal with their emotions. What ever happen to " MANNERS" I do think they should help/ teach/ about what these kids are going to live with. Far more important than some topics they have to learn, that are soooo old, they won't use much of "HISTORY FACTS" in their daily life. Think History is a subject that they could learn most important things update stuff that will effect their lives. It something that is not needed every year in their school years...so many other things they could be learning and how to cope with things in life that can be a LIFETIME!

[Ayo Jehlani Ashanti]

Absolutely, Gail. I am working with persons with Anger, Rage, etc. It seems that this has always been problem keep underwraps. I often wonder who or what has been the victim of these emotions. Even in the little ones in first and second grade, there is so much rage. It seems that even more children are in schools who have severe emotional problems.

[Michele LaPointe]

Here is my thought, being a public school special education counselor: Morality is only a small part of the problem.

What I see is that there are many, many students who have no moral compass at all because they have no faith. No God. Nothing. Absolutely nothing is being taught in the home generationally. Since the schools have banned speaking of the salvation of Christ to students, I am unable to "teach" what matters most to their spiritual/emotional welfare:salvation through Jesus Christ.

Without God at the center of a student's life (originating in the home), there is no real way to address morality. Teaching morality, or, as I call it, obedience to God, would be like handing a bicycle to a starving man. Apples and oranges. There is just no frame of reference.

Sure, we can teach right choices or wrong choices in the school setting, but anything significant (meaning, of the Lord), would be "casting our pearls before the swine," since they have no frame of reference and...it is illegal! Our collective hands are tied.

It is indeed a sad state of affairs.

Michele

[Loralee Burge]

This is my first time here, but i do agree, we should teach our grandchildren, and children at home to have morals and values...Amen! manner's as well , respect, just like Jesus ...WWJD...one of my favorite's, i will be back to say or share more..on these issue's...it's important...hugs and prayers to all in here...one of his loralee