Book Reading #40 - Coming of Age in Samoa

Chapter 14: Education for Choice
Summary:
The chapter is aptly titled, as the author clearly believes that our children should be allowed to choose what they believe or how they live, rather than the parents trying to impose their own standards on their children. She states that the multitude of choices present to our children makes it more imperative that children be taught how to think, not what to think, as this will reduce the strain on the adolescents. Thus she believes the strain on adolescents is caused from the parents trying to control their children's beliefs rather than the nature of being an adolescent.
Discussion:
I really disagree with her whole fundamental philosophy in this chapter, but concede she does make a few good points. I agree in allowing children to choose rather than using force, but only to a slight degree. I think parents absolutely should push their children towards what is moral and what they believe is right, but not that we can force them to believe something. Also I disagree that the strain would be reduced even if the child choose for themselves because they would still be different from others. High school is stressful and not because children haven't chosen what they want to believe. Also, I think extending the educational period is a very good thing because as we mature we are more able to make sound decisions.