
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 7, 1990                   TAG: 9006080715
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEACH THE CHILDREN WHAT'S RIGHT, WRONG

OUR SCHOOL systems are asked to undertake just about every program that comes along. They are asked to deal with many problems that show the ills of society: crime, teen-age pregnancy, AIDS, drugs, etc. The schools are asked to assume the parents' role and teach sex education. This comes about because most parents give up this duty.

Our society seriously overlooks the importance of character education. We need to make it acceptable to teach personal responsibility as part of a values system. Unfortunately, our schools are more concerned about which morals are to be taught; consequently, no morals are taught at all.

A survey last fall by the Girl Scouts, based on polling by Louis Harris and Associates, found that many children aren't worried about what adults consider "youth" problems: suicide, drugs, teen-age pregnancy, etc. What topped the list of children's concerns was the pressure they see created by adults to do well in school and sports.

There is nothing wrong in teaching right and wrong. There is nothing wrong in teaching responsibility. There is nothing wrong in teaching being a good listener, being prepared, being confident, and being a risk-taker.

If basic values are taught, then maybe we wouldn't have to spend so much time on lost values. Our students want to be taught those values that will make them successful in their future. D.E. FOWLER ROANOKE

by CNB