- NEW!
by Scifisuz on June 26th, 2009
I think the basics should be reinforced.
.
I was required to read the front page of the daily newspaper in a history class. Nobody much did it because it wasn't about celebs or dating or local gossip....
.
I was required to take a course in government, how the govt works, but no one much cared or paid much attention because it was boring and no one could relate to it.
Nothing stops you from joining /starting a club at school or reading/studying on your own.
by tomsims on June 26th, 2009
I was in high school in the early 70s and was very prepared to understand our political system and the issues of the day. We had lively debates on a variety of topics such as civil rights, the Vietnam War, civil unrest, and many other subjects. I did not realize that this sort of education had been discontinued.
by Dior on June 26th, 2009
I agree with you Ailsa, however, I am from the uk and we started doing politics at school from age 11 until we left at 18. We had to read newspapers such as The Independant, The Observer and The Times to help us with our studies. I went to private school so I can't really speak as to what went on in the state schools but when I left school I had a good knowledge of all the major political parties.
by jimmypaddy on June 26th, 2009
i think there are many things wrong the schooling system.
politics is a key area where people cannot just flip-flop on what the majority beleive in or what the media say. this is a common trend especially with people my age (18) who have left school and came into the real world and have exluded politics. many young people are not thoughtful or deep at all.
they would rather would watch shows like big brother than know how the political system effects their lives. the youth are becoming illeducated and left unaware by the mass media and vast television channels producing low quality tv. it is a sick chain of wanting know "celebrity gossip"
sorry to go off topic (and slightly rant) but getting back to the question in hand. i think that schools need to have a baic form of politics class being taught with also philosophy on a basic level educating the youth.
by - alluseek - on June 26th, 2009
I think, honestly, the smarter solution is to raise the voting age. Kids living at home, many millions of them, while not all of them, really have no idea what they are voting for, and it turns into a popularity contest, which it is NOT.
by ARTICFOX700 on June 26th, 2009
also agree with with increasing the age for voting purposes. You tend to run into politics more in college with economics ,business law, policital science classes to name a few. I remember many other classesmates joining clubs and publicly speaking out in the school nespaper over the basics of politics.. However today all the young kids vote for who looks the best not on the issues..and the house loves that..
by Jadey - Vive la difference on June 27th, 2009
Definitely! Although it is already taught.
Citizenship classes have been compulsory for secondary children since 2002. They cover themes such as their rights and responsibilities, duties and freedoms, laws and justice and democratic institutions. They learn about parliament, different forms of government, both democratic and non-democratic, and consider the challenges facing the global community, including international disagreements and conflict, global inequalities, sustainability and the use of the world's resources. All of these themes are, of couse, political issues.
I think the quality of the classes is poor though, by all accounts. Ofsted is rarely happy about the way the classes are executed.
I think it is so, so, so important. Not only to give kids an interest in politics, but to make sure that when it comes to voting they can make informed decisions and vote for the MP that best represents them.
by Over and Out on June 27th, 2009
We were taught about politics in school here in IL. It was all part of our history and political science curricula in high school. I don't remember the teachers being biased toward one party or philosophy or another. Actually it was pretty concise and helpful.
by uncacal on June 26th, 2009
I note that you are in the UK. I cannot speak for the whole US, but I received a good education in politics and the political process in my suburban high school 1968-72. We read Theodore White's excellent books, 'Making of the President 1960' and 'Making of the President 1968'. We were required to work on a state or local campaign for a candidate of our choice. We attended debates on the 26th amendment(which gave 18 yr olds the vote). Perhaps it was the times, with anti-Vietnam sentiments and ongoing civil rights efforts, but I learned about politics, theory and practice.
by ninja man on November 19th, 2009
I think we should teach people to be informed, but also to avoid the idiocy that often accompanies politics.
by DukeG on November 12th, 2009
Teach yes, Pass on their personal opinions as facts No!
by Frederik on November 10th, 2009
Well , in general you have the BBC and the "Sun" or "Daily Mirror".
I think what they thell the British about politics is more than enough. More people do not need and do not want to know.
by Roaring on November 9th, 2009
Only the political process.
Not sure how to keep bias out of it though.
by ChrisDC on June 27th, 2009
Alisa, are you in the U.K.?
When I went to high school in Louisiana here in the U.S., my Civics class was probably my favorite subject. Part of that was the subject in and of itself, and part of it was how one of the most incredible teachers I've ever had brought it all to life for us.
She had just about every elected official from our area to do a lecture and a Q&A session with us. She brought in the local heads of the political parties (at the same time -- no political favoritism on her part). We took several trips to our state legislature to watch committee hearings and floor debates on legislation affecting our area. (I suspect our town got a road resurfaced just because the Committee members knew we were monitoring the hearing and didn't want to disappoint us. LOL.)
If the schools where you live don't offer a course on government and politics, please take my word for it -- there is nothing (I, repeat, NOTHING) you could do to make a contribution to your community that would mean more than pushing them to start.
In other words -- your proposal isn't just a good one, or even a fantastic one, it's a crucial one.
+5
by DukeG on June 27th, 2009
Basic education about politics yes, But some of these teachers have their own agenda. They teach their own beliefs. I spend half my time trying to undo in my kids what some screwball teacher has instilled in them all day.
by Frederik on June 27th, 2009
Yes for sure. In Germany they do very extensively and want to wake up interest in democratic rules and rights.
So everybody usually knows how politics works.
by Factotum on June 26th, 2009
I sincerely doubt that any American teacher is qualified to do anything but inculcate students with whatever view they happen to have. Usually liberal but not always. I admit that there is a lack and that children need something in their middle years so that they can vote intelligently when they are of age.
.
Critical thinking is the best I can come up with. But I don't know that teachers know how to do that much less teach it.
by Dmitri on June 26th, 2009
You are taught politics, just in a different way. You are taught tolerance for all walks of life, which is more of a Democratic stance. Evolution, global warming, atheism, and humanism are taught in public schools and those coincide with typical Democrat politics.
by Frederik on November 9th, 2009
Bujt they should tell the people only about British politics. THe politics of other countries does not count at all.
Important seems to me to extend the education about WW II and especially children should learn that the Germans are the eternal enemies of Britain.
There should bean enforced indoctrination in regard of all sorts of bias and hostilties against other nations like in a good brain-wash.
So the children will see their bias and hostile feelings confirmed each day by the British medias.
by Frederik on November 9th, 2009
What British citizens need to know about the rest of the world they can learn by reading the "Sun" the Daily Mirror and by the BBC.
A British citizen does not need to know that much.
And as every British has some parents and a family they get told what they need to know about the rest of the world.
It would be a waste of time to extend historic education at school.
by Gideon on November 24th, 2009
When we leave school, we're expected to know how to learn. Information is out there for the taking.
by Robster on June 26th, 2009
Politics in the UK is left to personal choice without influence as teachers hold alot of influence in their pupils thinking. Therefore politics introduced at a higher level where debate can be accepted and tolerated.
Right or wrong that is the way in the UK but when there is paties such as the BNP (British Nasty Party) perhaps there should be some influence?
by Volt on November 24th, 2009
Isn't the social conditioning by the liberal elite working then?
Who is the leader of the Labour party?
by Answerbag Staff on May 19th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
should the snp hold a referendum on independence and what about the other uk countries
by jamesross19 on May 13th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
REFERENDUM: Should the United Kingdom leave the European Union
by jamesross19 on June 28th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
REFORENDUM: Should the House of Commons be reformed yes or no answers
by jamesross19 on June 28th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What would Abraham Lincoln think about the SNP’s plan to break-up the Union?
by imortal on May 31st, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Do you think we should be taught in school about politics? We leave school and are expected to vote yet know nothing about it.
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Your right, very right
thank you
by Ailsa on June 26th, 2009