A new Associated Press poll released December 11 shows American adults have the right idea when it comes to assessing the blame for shortcomings in U.S. education. According to the survey, which got a lot of play in the press today, American adults direct their strongest criticism at parents. 68% assigned "a great deal" or "a lot" of blame to parents when it comes to "problems that affect this country's public schools."
There is no question that society, relatives, neighborhood, socioeconomic status, peers and teachers all have an influence on children, but none matches that exercised by the parent. Encouragement, mentoring and monitoring make a difference. So do time, love, and perhaps more than anything else, example.
As someone who taught at the middle school level for 17 years, I am encouraged by the result of this survey. The first step in addressing a problem is facing the truth. No doubt many of the respondents of the poll were parents themselves. So many of the problems of society at large are, my experience has led me to believe, the result of indifferent, irresponsible or just plain bad parenting.
The popularity of shows such as ABC's "Supernanny" may reflect a dawning realization that many have received virtually no parenting training, don't know what to do in many situations, and are looking for examples. A harmonious and productive society has to begin with a good upbringing of its children. A national conversation on the topic is long overdue.
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