Importance of a Democracy (Parker assignment)

How important is it to teach democracy in US public schools? In Teaching Against Idiocy, by Walter Parker, he explains the term “idiocy” and focuses on the importance of educating individuals in a democratic society in order to be a public-minded citizen. “Schools in societies that are trying in various ways to be democracies, such as the United States, Mexico, and Canada, are obliged to develop public minded citizens” (Parker 1). It is clear in the reading that it is important for schools to improve teaching democracy in order for students to become public-minded citizens.

Since a public school is composed of an array of diverse students, many issues are raised. When children are at home, they are not interacting with anyone from a different background from their own. This is why student interaction is crucial at school. They must learn to work with one another and respect each other’s rights, since everyone is equal in a democracy. If children stay home, they will not experience working with others to promote a democratic society.

By carrying out activities such as school and mock elections in public schools, it will teach children the values of democracy. For example, as given in Parker’s reading, students decide on important issues such as whether or not to include all classmates in their playtime. “What the participants have in common in these mixed groups is not culture, race, or opinion, but the problems they face together and must work out together in ways that strike everyone as fair” (Parker 5). Each student has the right to voice his or her opinion on the matter while using cooperative problem solving.

Students who understand the principles of social equality and respect in a classroom, are in turn better prepared to exercise democracy on a larger scale in the community. This will allow children to become public-minded citizens; one who can make and take part in educated decisions regarding their community. Moreover, if children are not taught democracy in schools, there will never be an end to “idiocy”.