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- One Bad Apple
- The UMJ Volume 2.5 (Opinion)
- By: Amy Uehara
- The UMJ Volume 2.5 (Opinion)
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Recent articles in the English language newspapers tell how the Japanese education ministry is thinking of adding morality classes (Kokoro no Kyoiku) to the curriculum of public schools in lieu of the recent increase of violent crimes committed by young people and increase of teen girls for hire in sex related crimes. There have also been a number of comments in the newspapers that children are not taught the value of the animal life and this lack of respect for non-human creatures leads to the abuse of animals and further to abuses of other humans. Morality education was part of the public school curriculum until twenty-some years ago when it was removed. Why? Was it due to protests from parents who believed they were able to teach morality to their own children? In my home, we have an aging abandoned Airedale terrier. Our days are busy trying to find her a comfortable place to spend the hot hours of the summer heat. Her water is changed two or three time a day. She walked three or four time daily. Is she spoiled? This is the same care we would give to an aging relative if necessary. An elderly cat decided to live with us, He quickly learned the rules of the house and keeps away from the other cat respecting her territory. This is the same as siblings who must learn to respect each other's privacy and territory. The children learn that animals cannot speak but have warning signs to say when play is getting too rough. If the signs are not recognized, a nasty scratch or bite will follow, Animals can teach children to take responsibility for their own actions. One mother phoned me to discuss declawing her cat because it continually scratched her 9-year old child. She was surprised when I suggested she show her child alternative way to treat the cat to prevent the scratching. A neighbor family has a dog and a cat and three sons. The dog is kicked regularly and told to shut up. The cat's tail is pulled in play. Each brother pounds the younger brother. The husband tells his wife she's ugly and cannot cook well. Sports are very important to them and the children are encouraged to do better with phrases like, "What the h....were you doing out there?"and "how could you miss that ball, stupid?" I wonder how effective a new morality curriculum in the schools would be on children raised in such an environment. Nice try, education ministry, but respect for others starts in the home where children can first learn to respect and care for themselves and the other members of their immediate family, human or non-human. Study Tips from a High School Senior Aroma therapy is very popular now and lavender is said to awaken the senses. But this student suggests placing a small cactus on your desk, near your books. When you feel sleepy, your head falls on it alerting your senses to new heights.
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