There used to be Brodie's notes for Shakespeare. Now we have Jane's notes for the excellent series of talks at the Birmingham Oratory promoting chastity. The latest is for "Hot Topics" by Dr Greg Gardner. Dr Gardner is a GP and writes widely in the local press in Birmingham about pro-life and pro-family topics.
One interesting topic from the discussion was that of values clarification, in which young people are encouraged to clarify their own values through peer group discussion. This replaces the teaching of objective virtue.
William Coulson, a pioneer with Carl Rogers of this approach in the 1960s, later repented and wrote powerfully about the harm that such groups can do by allowing the strongest voices to prevail against those who are weaker and more easily influenced. Young people who have been instructed in virtue at home can be confused and misled by these discussions.
It is worth noting that Dr Gardner is an evangelical Christian. In our common love for the family, "ecumenical" co-operation comes quite naturally.
2 comments:
Hey I remember Brodie's notes!We are very blessed to have Jane..a good friend of mine. Are you all intellectuals in your family? lol
The Talking Peergroups method of "teaching" is well worth deconstructing. It is used to establish consensus on many topics, and neglects the weaker or quieter voices. Care is not always taken to draw out the quieter opinions, especially if they are counter to the mainstream peer opinion. I (having no concerns myself about voicing unpopular views) see it as part of my parental job in educating my children, not only to instruct them in true teachings and virtue, but, to give them the skills to argue the case and to defend that truth amongst peers who might crush it. This is just as important as passing on the faith these days - show your children also how to be good apologists. On car journeys or at meal times, it's good to play devil's advocate and make them come up with the answers using reason as well as faith. They need these skills today. And it keeps parents on their toes as well.
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