Kids Need a Sense of Historyby Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger 12 Oct 2007 08:42 AM As far as my kids are concerned, the 1980's are the dark ages-anything that happened before their memories kicked in might as well be a fairy tale. But, as my kids approach voting age, the age of consent, and dip their toes into the land of adulthood, I realize how imperative it is that they get a grasp on what has gone before. I understand that passion for the "now" is one of the blessings of the young-but I also think that a sense of history is an important part of developing a perspective. I happened to walk in on a teenage political debate the other night-as four teenagers sat in my living room discussing presidential candidates and what they thought was "best for the country"-it dawned on me that my kids and their friends really only have recent memory to base their opinions on. Sure, they've studied ancient Rome and the Civil War in school-but have barely skimmed over the 20th century. The most recent decades have a much bigger influence on the decisions they are making now and in the future than they realize. I believe that kids really need a "real" sense of history-an understanding of how one decision has effected another and how what happened during their grandparent's or their great-grandparent's day really does influence the world they are living in today. I get that Mom may not be the best person to try to enlighten them. After all, while I remember quite vividly who I cast my first presidential ballot for all those many years ago (1985)-they are convinced that anything I say is tainted or skewed. They will listen to grandparents though, and aunts and uncles too. I think we collectively owe it to the next generation to make sure they are not starting out with a clean historical slate. Also: Children's Literature--American History for Kids Encouraging Kids to Get Those Stories From Grandparents Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons  Bio has been removed by administrator Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags history, perspective, voting Discuss this article
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