Can moral values be taught ?

Newspapers and the magazines cover many stories related to moral degradation in the society. This is suggested that if the values are to be inculcated then this  should be done right from the childhood. The family and the school, play a very important role in this.A number of books have been written on this topic . The series of moral science books are in abundance in the market. The schools think of doing great by introducing such books to the children and consider it as they have done their duty.Many people argue that morals can not be taught through the text or by lectures but by actions and examples.Very rightly mentioned by somebody in a talk show on TV that the elders specially the parents and teachers ask the children not to fight but they fight among themselves, at times in the presence of the kids and also grown up children. If a child is rude to somebody due to some reason the elders advise him not to be so but many times they themselves are rude to the children while advising them not to be so.The children have confined in their teachers the kind of discussion the parents have at home. It has been observed that sometimes even the teachers discuss with their colleagues certain things against some body while standing near the door of the classroom or in the staffroom without realising that the students are watching and listening to them.Once a student told her teacher the kind of language used by her mother for her sister- in -law and mother- in -law.Now this child is confused between the lecture given and the action taken by the parents. One child had openly said that there is nothing wrong in speaking certain words which the teacher said are not to be used because the helper or the driver at home used that language so often. Not only that ,even the parents some times forget that the children are observing them very closely. This is certain that the parents and teachers do not do it intentionally but the child is unable to understand their state of mind.
Most of the people argue that books can not teach morals. They may act as the catalyst but the initial reaction will come from day to day experience of the children. If the teachers and parents tell their children that honesty is the best policy then this should not be for the sake of saying but they should have faith in this saying because until an individual has belief, he/she can not convince the others . There is no need of being diplomatic in front of the children. Be straight forward  and they will understand things better.One Example will make this more clear. A student who used to stay in the hostel of a school was very much impressed by his house master who was responsible for the well being of the students under his charge.The housemaster used to discuss the stories of great men and women who were honest to the core of their heart and more importantly the HM himself was following the same and had complete faith in the saying and the examples he quoted. Till the time child was 12-13 years of age he took the things the way he was told. But after his class X exam when he stayed with the parents for long time , he closely noticed a few manipulations  done by manager of his father`s business . He asked his father the reason for the same. The father very casually said that if you have to progress in business such things are to be done and this is the part of the system.The child argued with the father but could not be satisfied by the answer given and as generally happens he was asked to concentrate on studies and  not to think about such things now. When the child came back to school he asked his house master , when business can not flourish without indulging in some unfair means then why the teacher was teaching him the lessons of honesty. The child narrated the whole story to the teacher. The teacher was shocked and for some time was unable to answer the child.Though he tried to convince him that he can do well without doing anything against the established norms also but the child did not agree.Ultimately the teacher had to tell him that even if he had to do something against the norms he would at least realise that doing this is wrong. The teacher said that he would have achieved his goal if the child would realise his mistake though he may be forced by the system to do certain things which he did not like.The teacher is still struggling to find a convincing answer to the question of his  student. And today when he is a grown up person ,he might be feeling that his teacher was not right because there are so many cases of corruption coming to surface.
So ,the conclusion is that ,if the values are to be inculcated then the elders and the society as a whole will have to follow the right path which may be difficult but the goal achieved will be pious.The books and lectures alone will not do any good because morals are not taught but are imbibed by the children from the elders.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Year - Promises And Actions

NCF & NCrF- Innovative Approach

Be Responsible For Your Safety