Anti-Character Education Q&A

There are many different definitions of character education, but most include such elements as efforts to shape directly and systematically the behavior of young people by presenting a clear set of values, virtues, and awareness of the behaviors that go along with them. (Programming students to act in a way that is morally exceptable to the administration) While there is general agreement that this process should be undertaken early in a child's development, (Character education starts at kindergarden when the child is around five, children learn most of their values from ages 3 to 4.) there are diverse views about how best to approach character education.

Parents provide the most constant and visible models of the behaviors associated with character development. Parents also help by identifying other models of the kinds of character traits they want their children to develop and by raising appropriate character-related issues in discussions of daily events. (This is the way it has been since the dawn of our civilization, so why change now?) Parents also assist by protecting their children from premature exposure to examples of behaviors that negate their own views of positive values and virtues. (Character education infringes on the parents ability to teach their child values, by providing a second voice in the matter there is room for one party undermining the other.)

Teachers are also influential adults in the lives of children. (Incorrect) From the preschool years on, teachers help children understand character traits and values, and model desirable character traits within the school setting and in the larger society.(forcing teachers in to role model positions is an exploitation of their position, and make hypocrits out of those who don't fit the mold.) Young children often idealize their teachers, watch them closely, and try to emulate their behaviors. (Again incorrect) Young people may view their teachers as authorities on subjects and seek their advice on many issues related to character and values. Teachers can help by maintaining long-term relationships with students (Most teachers only see their students for the a school year, at the high school level its only for a semester in somes cases.) and using children's literature in the classroom that emphasizes positive values and heroic actions.

James Garbarino, author of Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment, warns that when communities neglect their role in providing a healthy support system for children, a "socially toxic environment" will develop that hurts a child's growth and character development in much the same way that chemical toxins harm a child's physical development. Neighbors, community leaders, health care professionals, and the criminal justice system can work with families and educators to create neighborhoods where children and youth can develop meaningful relationships that contribute to developing values and desirable character traits. (True it takes a village to raise a child however there will always be morally unacceptable things in our society. It the parents job to shelter their children.)