"The delicate fabric of the civilization into which the
successive generations are woven has unraveled, and children are raised, not
educated.
"I am speaking here not of the unhappy, broken homes that
are such a prominent part of American life, but the relatively happy ones,
where husband and wife like each other and care about their children, very
often unselfishly devoting the best parts of their lives to them.
"But they have
nothing to give their children in the way of a vision of the world, of high
models of action or profound sense of connection with others."
What is the difference
between "raising" and "educating" children?
Bloom sees the first as merely
providing food, shelter and basic training for career, while "education" is so
much more: preparing a young person to reach out and make a positive, significant
difference in the world.
The most important things a parent can provide in a child's
and youth's education are a clear allegiance, a vision of purpose and a sense of personal mission.
No professional educational program or system can do this as well as a caring,
nurturing parent who shares what is most important in his or her heart and
deepest hopes and dreams.
There are many subjects in schooling, from math and science
to language arts and social studies and beyond, but the key to quality
education is not so much a subject as a purpose.
When a parent or other teacher
shares what is most important to her, it creates a desire to learn in the young
person that is impossible in any other way.
We
need to cultivate and refine our own commitment to our allegiance, and
get real clarity on our passion and purpose--and then open up more and
really share our greatest hopes,
dreams and values with our children and youth.
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