Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gutek Chapter 16
What strikes me most about the educational system in China is the act of direct ideological indoctrination in formal schooling that seems to take place regardless of shifts in educational focus and political changes. In contrast to my formal schooling experience, it appears that China explicitly teaches and forces certain ideological beliefs upon its students. In my experience, ideas of nationalism and belief in American ideologies and values were psychologically ingrained in a more implicit manner. Though we engaged in certain activities that clearly demonstrated American patriotism and values in public schooling such as standing and reciting the pledge of allegiance daily, many students did not take this act seriously and others just stood for respect but did not speak the words. I learned many American values and customs during my formal schooling, especially in regards to educational values like individualism; however, I never felt that educators and administrators directly pressured me to believe in political ideologies. In fact, because politics in general can be a highly debated topic, I feel it was left out of my public school experience. My political identity in terms of my American citizenship was something that I believe developed as a result of my family values and other forms of non-formal education rather than as a result of my formal schooling.
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I found what Jess wrote very insightful. I agree with the fact that in US schooling, teaching political ideologies is not done because of the fundamentals which the country is based upon. However, I think it could be argued that this 'hand-off' approach has led to a lack of a concrete US identity, which is a problem that Chinese citizens don't seem to have because of the direct ideological teaching that is done in China. While it is harder to pinpoint what is 'American' compared to what it is to be 'Chinese', perhaps if the US took a more definitive role in the indoctrination of its citizens, there wouldn't be as much confusion and disagreement around what is 'American' or what are 'American' values, etc...
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Jess and Natasha in that the difference between the US and Chinese schooling of political matters differs significantly. I also attended a school where the pledge of allegiance was officially recited daily, but where many students did not participate; and, although we all took a governmental class focused primarily on US Civics, I also felt no specific political allegiances based on my teachers’ values. My family and close friends displayed a range of political beliefs, which aided in shaping my own, but I also know many people who are politically apathetic and who do not feel attached to the American political system. I think that the key element of formal schooling should be a focus on the importance of being a contributing member of the American system.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what Jessica stated. I have gone to a Catholic and a public school and in each one I never had politics forced down my throat. In each school we learned patriotism through the pledge and when we learned about different historical events. I do not think American education is the best but I do believe that we have been successful in showing patriotism in it counts.
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