There were two different perspectives presented in this chapter regarding how education should play a role in a person’s life. Noah Webster strongly believed that “moral and political values had to be imposed on the child”. He utilized catechism which was when children were required to memorize questions and answers. However on the flip side, Thomas Jefferson had a different opinion about the school system. He believed that they should just provide “the tools of reading and writing and that political beliefs would be formed through the exercise of reason”.
I think both perspectives have a reasonable point, however, I would lean more towards Thomas Jefferson’s point of view. I think being taught on what is right or wrong at such an early age before we have a sense of what really is right or wrong, is unfair to the child. Noah Webster probably had good intentions for Americans and to a certain extent, I do agree that students should be trained to be a virtuous person at an early age. It will certainly will provide children a clear sense of direction and grow up to have good habits, judgment, values, and patriotism. However, I believe that Jefferson is right when he said that “knowledge, reason and a developed moral sense would result in a natural order in a free society”.
When children are required to memorize questions and answers on what is right and what is wrong, and don’t really understand why they believe in what they believe in. They were molded and taught to believe in a certain way. I think rather than molding a child into a virtuous person, I think giving the tools to develop their own beliefs will be a lot more effective and long lasting. They should be able to have a choice to be able to form their own beliefs through their own reasoning.
A child would probably understand why they believe in their beliefs if those beliefs are formed by themselves.
Also, I think Jefferson made a great point about how the study of history will guide our reasoning. Instead of being told what to do and memorizing facts, studying history will teach about how and why certain actions led to specific events and consequences.
If we impose political values and nationalism onto children at a young age, how would they respond when they are questioned on why they believe it? Also, wouldn’t it be dangerous when children are molded by schools on what the school/government think is right? I mean at one point, slavery and discrimination was accepted and was never questioned. If everyone was taught on what to believe in, people will lose that freedom to form their own morals, beliefs, and values.
–Janie Lee