IS
YOUR CHILD THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE?
tion is approved, monies will dry up for the public system. It
They better be because the myth that continues to
might all be political, or people just trying to keep their jobs,
be pushed on us about education will inevitably fall apart at
or others don’t want to have to make healthy changes in the
some point. The myth I refer to is that putting a child into a
system.
broken system of education with no moral foundation will
Whatever the reason isn’t really the point. The point is
prepare them to live in the “real” world.
that it is a myth and a very dangerous one. The environ-
I have read this recently in four different articles. Two were
ment in which our children are being educated is of utmost
touting the benefits of today’s public education system, and
importance, but for different reasons.
two were discouraging private, faith-based education and
Our children, between the ages of six and eighteen, spend
how our children would benefit less from being educated
two-thirds of their lives, the overwhelming majority of their
in a healthier environment because they would be sheltered
waking hours, in school and school-related activities. If we
and hence unprepared for the “real” world.
are going to weave the truth of God into our children’s lives
Well, the good news is all of
and provide a solid moral founda-
these articles do get one thing right:
tion for dealing with a broken and
"We have to acknowledge that the
environment matters—in fact, it
difficult world, then we cannot
environment
in
which
they
are
being
matters a lot. The problem is that
ignore the environment in which
educated
academically
has
a
significant
the suggested connection in this
much of their youth and young
position is flawed—fatally flawed.
adult lives take place. If we want our
effect on who they become."
Why is it that when we look
children to have a moral foundation
outside of this very narrow discus-
that goes well beyond memorizing
sion, we see the exact opposite position taken? Here are
character qualities, we have to acknowledge that the envi-
a few examples: We know that children raised in abusive
ronment in which they are being educated academically has
families are more likely to be abusive. We know that children
a significant effect on who they become.
raised in poverty are more likely to stay in poverty. We know
Interestingly, I have had the unique experience over the
that those raised around drugs, alcohol, gang influence, bad
last three weeks to get inside views of local proms from
language, illegal behavior, sexual promiscuity, etc,—are all
teachers, parents, and most important—students. In all
at higher risks of suffering the same in their lives.
cases what stood out to all populations was the depravity.
We even develop early intervention programs aimed
Alcohol, drugs, and blatant promiscuity were a key part of
at getting children out of these situations. We know that
the narrative—before, during, and after prom. This is not
children raised in broken homes are more likely to struggle
to say that everyone was engaged in this, but enough very
in relationships and have a myriad of issues. We all know
publicly were that there was a constant awareness to all
this. But somehow miraculously, when we enter the school
involved at the event.
building, it is different. What works in every other part of
Prom is a “snapshot” of the environment in which our
life regarding how our surrounding environment and social
children are being educated!
constructs affect us, reverses and now has the opposite effect.
School is not a time when we are to hope that our children
It’s as if something as constant as gravity—just changes.
will navigate a healthy path and steer clear of unhealthy
I will be the first to say, we all know kids who grow up
things. It is a time when things will be “impressed” upon
in terrible situations and turn out to be great individu-
them. What they grow up and develop in—they will seek in
als. But they are the exception to the rule. Growing up in
life. A child raised in a healthy, morally grounded environ-
more dysfunctional or unhealthy environments in no way
ment is consistently the most well equipped to handle the
consistently prepares anyone for functioning later in life in
“real” world.
a broken world.
Why is the myth constantly being repeated? It could be
fear that if families realize the unhealthiness in the system
Keith McCurdy works with children, families, and individuals in the Roanoke Valley
and surrounding areas in hopes of helping to rebuild the American family. For more
that there will be a mass exodus. It could be fear that if things
information and ideas, take a look at his website and blog at theradicalparent.com.
such as vouchers or tax breaks for private, faith-based educa-
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