A Model Citizen

Today in class we talked about what it means to be a model citizen. Brighouse suggested that there are three criteria for defining a good citizen. The first criteria is abiding by the law. The second is political participation to achieve justice. The last component needed to make a good citizen, according to Brighouse, is participating in political endeavors in pursuit of personal interests. We were asked to think of someone that we viewed as a model citizen. I found that there were a lot of people that I could think of that encompassed the qualities the Brighouse deems important for the ideal citizen to posses. But I found that I didn’t actually think of these people as good citizens just because they met those requirements. As discussed and brought up by couple other students, I think there is definitely more involved in defining someone who is a good citizen. Other factors that I think are defining characteristics would be respect for other people and for the environment. I don’t think anyone should refrain from stating their viewpoint in fear of offending someone, but I also think these things can be coined without being overtly offensive. Having respect for others doesn’t mean agreeing with them and never creating controversy, it simply means acknowledging that other valid perspectives exist and presenting your opinions in a way that doesn’t diminish others. I found that it was a lot harder to think of people who meet the expectations of a model citizen as outlined by those five characteristics.

Language and Assimilation

In our group discussion last week we talked a lot about appropriate expectations for minorities who are learning to assimilate into our culture. We specifically talked about what we think should be required for citizenship. It was a little bit conflicted at first, but I think there was mostly agreement when it came to language. We thought that in order to become an American citizen you should be required to speak English proficiently. One of the group members shared a story about a family that had worked for her dad and the family had lived in the U.S. for almost 10 years and the parents still hadn’t learned any English. I am all for doing things to help ease the transition and of course as a future teacher I definitely think it’s important that students don’t abandon their culture. But at the same time, in order to be active and engaged citizens, you have to be able to speak English. No one should feel that they are unwelcome in the United States if they don’t speak English, however in terms of becoming a U.S. citizen I think it is something that should be required. By learning English, you are showing that you are committing to participate and be part of this culture. You can’t say that you truly want to be part of a culture and society and then make few efforts to actually assimilate. If I moved to France I think it would be expected that I learn French in order to really be part of the culture. The reason many students study abroad is to learn a language and really become part of a different society. Why should moving to the United States on the terms of becoming citizens be any different? In relation to schooling, I think working with children is much different than requiring an adult of at least 18 years of age to make a commitment to learn a language. Students who are learning to speak English should never be told that they cannot speak their own language and it should be dealt with in an extremely different manner. Teachers should make sure to foster and encourage students to take pride in their own heritages and cultures. Part of what makes America so great is that it is so many people bringing their backgrounds and beliefs together in order to create a culture unlike any other. But part of being able to contribute is making active steps to be a part of that culture and not simply remaining separate. Taking away the language barrier is a major way to make it possible for people to mix and blend and be part of a society that brings people together.

How do we motivate boys to learn?

In class on Wednesday we spent a lot of time talking about gender equality in school and how schools have become “feminized” and in doing so, males suffer in the classroom. Research has shown that males have been falling behind females in test scores and behavior. What do these results tell us and how can we motivate boys to learn in a school environment? It seems that by getting male teachers involved in the education of young boys and girls is a key factor in getting all students, especially boys, more engaged and active in their learning. We also discussed how it seems to be a cyclical cause and effect. We want to make classrooms a place conducive for male learning, and we think that having men more involved in the teaching process is key. However, how do we get male teachers to get in front of the classroom? There are so many societal stigmas about male teachers and that seems to play a huge role in deterring them to work with children. Stigmas about inappropriate interaction with students are cause for concern for any male looking into a career in education. Moreover, we discussed the pressure that most men feel to be “the provider” in the family and how the relatively low salary of teachers may be another reason that turns men away from education. How can we change these ideas or stereotypes about men and by men? If research proves that having men in the classroom is the most effective way to level the playing field for girls and boys, would it be appropriate to give bonuses to male teachers to get them into classrooms? This doesn’t only apply to gender. It could also apply to teachers of color. How do we entice minorities to get into the classrooms where we need them?