Who Bears the Responsibility for Teaching Children Proper Behavior: Parents or Schools?

The question of who is responsible for instilling proper behavior in children has been a topic of much debate. Many believe that both parents and schools play a crucial role in shaping a childrsquo;s behavior, with each entity responsible for different aspects of social and ethical education. From

Setting the Foundation of Manners: Home vs. School

There is a consensus that both homes and schools play a significant role in teaching children appropriate behavior, but the methods and settings vary. For instance, [keyword: manners] are often learned and reinforced at both home and school. Here are some common manners and how they are taught:

Donrsquo;t interrupt people—learned in school Donrsquo;t justify mean behavior—taught at home and reinforced at school Keep the door open for the person behind you—taught at school Show respect for authority figures—taught at home and school Avoid using profanity in public—taught at home and school Treat others cordially—taught at home and school Respect people with different backgrounds or differences—taught at home and school Chew with your mouth closed—taught at home Use polite phrases like 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'excuse me'—taught at home and school

While school can provide a structured environment and catch those lapses of manners that might be overlooked at home, the foundational aspects of behaving well are typically instilled [keyword: home].

Parents as Primary Educators

One of the key arguments is that parents are ultimately responsible for teaching their children proper behavior. A teacher needs to instruct over 30 children at a time, which makes it nearly impossible to provide the personalized attention that a parent can offer. In fact, it is often said that [keyword: responsibility] primarily falls on the parents to ensure that their children exhibit good behavior.

The argument that parents should be the primary educators is supported by the fact that not everyone is equipped to be a parent. There are no mandatory parenting classes, and anyone who can reproduce can have children. This includes those who are unintelligent, selfish, mean, alcoholic, or oblivious. While schools can play a supportive role in reinforcing the lessons learned at home, it can be challenging to educate a child who lacks the basic discipline, self-regulation, or self-worth.

The Role of Schools

While parents are responsible for teaching children the nuances of good behavior, schools can contribute to reinforcing these lessons. For example, schools educate children on following instructions and doing what they are told. The role of the school is to build on the foundation laid at home and to provide a structured environment where these behaviors are consistently modeled and practiced.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of teaching proper behavior is closely tied to the quality of education provided by the parents. Well-behaved children tend to perform better in school, are more easily taught, and have a better chance of success overall. On the other hand, children who are badly raised often struggle to follow instructions and have difficulty understanding societal norms and expectations.

So, while both parents and schools play important roles, the responsibility for teaching children proper behavior largely falls on the shoulders of the parents. Schools can build on this foundation, but the primary educators are the parents. Let's not forget that the success of our children is a joint responsibility between home and school, but the first step always begins with the parent.

Conclusion

The debate over who is responsible for teaching children proper behavior remains a heated one, with valid points being made on both sides. However, based on the evidence of learned and reinforced behavior, and the practical challenges faced by schools, it is clear that parents have the ultimate responsibility. However, both parents and schools play crucial roles, and their efforts must be aligned to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children.