Do you think patriotism should be taught in public schools?  Why or Why Not?
88275
As a child, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis up to a certain point - exactly what year we stopped escapes me at the moment, however. I don't have a problem with that - as a United States citizen, I don't mind the occasional exercise in patriotism.\n\nHowever, before it can be taught in schools (if ever), there needs to be a consensus on how the concept is presented. The last thing I'd want is some stereotypical militant white supremacist or some disenchanted cynic teaching the course or devising the curriculum.\n\nHow's *that* for a somewhat-less-than-concrete answer? Truthfully, I hate any type of mind control methods, but we have the choice of whether or not to stay here - if we choose to stay, then we should exercise some loyalty and respect for the Constitution and the laws of the land. However, recognizing our freedoms includes speaking up when things are going wrong and need to be changed - being a true patriot means you want the bad things changed and not for anyone to be stuck with the "America: love it or leave it" idiocy.
847630
why would you be obligated to pledge allegiance to anything ? i dint agree with schools whether public or college should make any student pledge allegiance. I was taught to speak up for myself and i think why should we pledge to a flag who's government has done nothing but enslaved people, create unnecessary wars and dint care about anyone else but themselves. So what its a flag big deal ! so i dint know if you have to say it in N.C. but you shouldn't have to there or any where else. look at it this way the constitution gives you the right to express yourself ..and here is me expressing myself ..that document was written for middle age -Caucasian men only.
892251
They don't pay attention in school, every public school system in America, (and I've been to a few) teaches civics.(which is, how the country runs, the nature of the government and how to function in it.) \nSecondarily, these kids don't see their parents or other role models exercising their right to vote, or serve on juries or even write to their congressman or senators!  and if you don't know how to use something properly  you won't use it at all!
677423
It should be taught in schools as part of Ancient Greek civilisation. Other relgions should be taught as well according to the contribution to their cultures and civilisations.
1096279
I am not sure your statement re: New Jersey and New Hampshire is at all accurate. In fact, I know it is not!! You are obviously moving from a specific example (which is lacking in your statement) to a generality, which, of course, is faulty to begin with, as I am sure you well know.\n\nThe curriculum as developed by local districts according to individual state requirements is perfectly fine, and under no conditions should we have a national curriculum. That reeks of indoctrination, and it is necessary that students in various parts of the country learn some things indigenous to where they live. For example, students in Alaska may need to know some things that students in Hawaii do not and vice versa.\n\nAs far as reading, writing, and mathematics is concerned, all schools teach basically the same content. Whether some is done in grade two as opposed to grade three is moot. The local school districts and states know best what is best for their students and when to include whatever the needs may be into the curriculum\n\nI hope this helps.
754369
Yes I would. I have a deep sense of pride and patriotism to my country. We are the greatest country on earth and that is evidenced by all of the aid that we give foreign countries and how we support individual freedoms and democracy. I know that it would be the job from hell but I would gladly serve the country and people that I love.
719045
i wrote one about america, but it isn't so patriotic.  it's more about our society's flaws, and how we've forgotten where we came from.  it isn't "america bashing", but it does make one think.\n\ni should write something patriotic.  i am proud to be an american, and am so blessed to have been born here rather than elsewhere.  thanks for the encouragement.
395287
What is a Patriot? A lot of people have definitions for what a patriot is. \n\nI think Mark Twain's is best:\n"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."\n\nTo love your country, and support your country's government are very different things. \n\nThis is the difference between a GOVERNMENT and a COUNTRY. America the country is many things, it is Johnny Cash, it is Chevy Trucks, it is Apple Pie, it is Baseball, it is Hollywood it is the people who live here. \n\nBut to align yourself with every stance the government makes, on every policy... is not being a patriot, its being a cow.
855737
The educational system in the United States has gone down hill since the 1960’s when the emphasis shifted from Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science and History to socialization and political correctness. It also has to do with the Federal Government taking the power away from local school boards. The government changed the focus from education to integration and I am definitely not against equal rights and opportunities for all races of people. \n\nDo all children in America need to be taught the same things? I think not. Schools were better run by local boards that could take action quicker without going through a hundred levels of Federal bureaucracy. Most schools in America today are more concerned about students sitting quietly than they are in the education of our children. The education level of children graduating from high school today is a national embarrassment. We should all be ashamed for what we have let happen to our schools. The best way to correct this is to give control back to the communities. Maybe there should be some minimum standards of performance, but that should be the extent of it. Does the Federal government really belong in the class room? That is the real question the country needs to take a hard look at.
460868
No. We're not big on flag waving and dfeinitely not in school. Uniformed youth groups like the Scouts do it. Where did you find Brits that don't know the national anthemn?
728564
I think far too many humans in general accept the idea of war and conquest as a legitimate means of land acquisition, or eliminating differences of opinion.  It is completely integral both to our history and to our violent nature.  \n\nAny teacher who chooses to try and educate students about the down side, as well as trying to be historically accurate, is doing precisely what a good teacher ought to do.  Believe me, he may make his students think about it, but he won't make them hate their country.  And, if he helps the process of human evolution along the way, more power to him.\n\nTeachers who believe they are serving the causes of history and education by avoiding, changing, or sugar coating the truths of our past are failing to perform their most important task, to accurately inform and enlighten the young minds in their care.
678899
As "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" (thank you, Dr. Johnson), I am uncomfortable with the premise of this question. I would willingly defend this country and its immortal Constitution with my very life but I would never call myself a patriot as I detest its obvious negative connotations ("my country right or wrong," etc.).\n\nThat said, the answer to your question is of course that there is nothing "patriotic" about supporting this master criminal and his corrupt administration of war profiteers, liars and thieves. He warrants no support; only censure, impeachment, removal from office, criminal trial and imprisonment.
529227
Unfortunately, the public school system in america is not taken seriously enough.  Further, the students who attend our public school system (even through college) are continuiously torn down by teachers, principals, and even unknowingly, their parents.  This is done by teaching the youth of america that they should "Go to school and get a good job", when what that's actually doing is teaching a person to wear a slaves collar for the rest of their lives, be it blue or white.  A slave to the economy, to the boss who says when you can have time off, when you cant go to your kids birthday party, and how much money you should be paid per hour.  But then, there are people like me who try to teach, who show our fellow Americans that there is a way to regain their freedom, to life a life not having to give away 40+ hours a week to a job they hate, to a boss who on a bad day can put that persons name on a piece of paper, and end their job on the spot.  This country was founded on Free Enterprise, on farmers and merchants who owned businesses, however small some might have been.  Other countries, Japan for instance, still teach that kind of mentality.  Yes, education is important for it, but a major part of the problem is the angle that American schools take - and that is to teach people to be employees, not to be the employeer.\n\nSo it falls to us who try to help people after they get their flawed education, to try to free them from the system.  Show them a way to take back their lives, to decide themselves how much they will make an hour.  What hours they want to spend working, even if that's none at all.  Far too many people have had the dreamlessness of the failing American Dream drilled into them too hard anymore though, and it's impossible to free a person who prefers the collar.  Ah well.
562132
I think that civic participation should be taught more vigorously in elementary and high schools. Children grow up simply apathetic to domestic and international politics and then they don't participate in keeping this democracy alive and well when they have the opportunity to. Democracies can only thrive with active widespread participation. Obviously there is an age limit to make sure that the people going to the polls are mature. But I think that if 15 and 16 year olds are old enough to be charged as adults if they commit crimes, then they should be old enough to go to the polls.
721708
Yes, it should be mandatory.  They need to learn the basics of civility and social manners because so many aren't getting these lessons at home.
246401
Being a School Governor and a parent of Secondary School children my answer is: Not well enough.\nIt is generally included in the Personal Health Social Citizenship Education curriculum.\nThere is a new Examination that children will take which may place a greater onus on schools to meet their statutory obligations called Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (C.O.P.E.)
21868
Yes, but not as a science. School is a place of learning, and ID should be taught as one perspective among many. Censorship is not the way to go. Children should be taught how to think critically for themselves and taught WHY ID is not a science and how to make that distinction. Censorship robs them of the opportunity to know what the difference is, or even how to make the distinctions.