by Cheryl Lacey, DSJ, Thought Starters On Education, ©2023
(Jul. 3, 2023) —
Scenario
Greg: ‘I can’t have children.’
Penny: ‘Oh. I’m sorry about your infertility. What about other options?’
Greg: ‘It’s not that.’
Penny: ‘What is it then? Concerns for the climate?’
Greg: ‘Yes. But not the weather or pollution. The moral climate. I can’t risk bringing a boy into the world to be neglected like I was, abused like I’ve been, silenced like I have, to be as lonely as I am and feel as helpless as I am.’
Penny: ‘Oh. I didn’t realise your father mistreated you.’
Greg: ‘He didn’t. I didn’t know my father. My mother raised me. I went to full-time daycare from 6 weeks old, was taught mainly by women at school and was groomed by one of my teachers. I was assessed about the abuse mainly by female health specialists and represented mainly by female lawyers. And yesterday, to meet quotas, I was replaced at work by a trans-woman.’
Penny: ‘You are so anti-women. I am offended and feel violated.
What if Greg’s response was the following?
Greg: ‘I am offended that you have said, that you are offended by what I have said.’
End scenario
Primary school-aged children and secondary school teens discuss moral dilemmas regularly in classrooms.
You’re a school principal: Would you approve of this scenario for discussion?
You’re a school teacher: Would you use this scenario?
You’re a school parent: Would you want to know if this scenario was being used, and would you approve?
You’re on the school board: Would you propose or vote for a proposal for a community forum on the teaching of morality?
Another question.
Is there a moral dilemma?
Moral dilemmas are situations in which the decision-maker must consider two or more moral values or duties but can only honour one. Regardless of the decision, the consequence will be the violation of moral values.
One last question.
Who currently decides what and how morality is taught and learned in classrooms?
No doubt the school board would/should know!