Opinion
Curriculum Letter to the Editor

Teaching Students ‘Character’ Is Parents’ Job, Not Schools’

September 08, 2015 1 min read
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To the Editor:

In the early 1940s, education was also a social environment for the student. The most important idea was to teach students information they could use after graduation, or even before. Society depended upon parents to teach their children morality, values, and the like. Things have changed. Now, many parents are more focused on their work, and the teaching of character and good behavior is often left to the teacher. This is not the way to pass down to your child the things you hold dear.

We no longer teach my subject, home economics, although it is urgently needed. The information gathered in my classes would last a lifetime.

Are we doing justice to our children? The home was once the place where character was made. The school was the place where it was tested and improved. Teach children to think on things that are good, that are lovely, that are worthwhile, and you will have an adult who can give something back to the world.

Mary Esther Geldreich

Ryland Heights, Ky.

A version of this article appeared in the September 09, 2015 edition of Education Week as Teaching Students ‘Character’ Is Parents’ Job, Not Schools’

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