Victor Davis Hanson's The Civic Education America Needs - Essay Example

He further argues that among the factors, which hinder civic education, is the presence of scholar uncertainty where they have no national pride, thus making them lose the element of social cohesion (Forment 451). The scholars in turn join college without self-assurance, hence vulnerable to all fallacies about the American practice. Victor also has his argument on the catastrophic changes in the privileged society, especially from the universities, which have trickled down to the schools. He puts that civic education in this schools has declined over the last thirty years.

He says that the ideas from the elites of these universities are characterized as being anti-moral to civic education. He further asserts that the ideas of multiculturalism, dictatorial, intellectual, and ethical relativism disseminated from the top universities through the fourth estate and politicians, greatly undermine the civic education program. Victor further argues that multiculturalism, allowed to the etiquette of the underclass, changed the conduct of the youthful people (Forment 452).

He believes that to counteract this elite culture from undermining the process of civic education, there is need to cultivate and re-visit the common values and national story of America. Furthermore, Victor Davies argues that the conceit of the Enlightenment, which threatens to eliminate the available, shared pathologies, is a cause of concern in promoting the civic education in America. The segregation and undermining of women plays a key role in disheartenment of efforts to foster the civic education in America.

He puts forward that civility, which to many is merely convection, has to become a tool for liberation of the people (Nelles 264). He observes that civility was an oppressive phenomenon of the 1950s, an era punctuated by subdued sexual issues like inhumane treatment of women, minorities and the young people. These were to remind the women that they were the weaker sex and they had no place in the society. The treatment, according to Victor also wanted to show the youth that they were tacit. It comes evident when the learners of age 20 claim that they owe nothing in terms of morals to the older generation.

They further claim that the old generation need to get astute thoughts from them, which to Victor undermines the role of civic education (Forment 454). Victor argues that gone are the days when a person took concern of the greater humanity, other than the individualistic nature. He advocates for a kind of”citizenship”education where one is guided by the values and not obligated by attachments. Victor further proposes that the American system of education should embrace the idea of “citizenship,” which will cultivate an individual guided by rights and the broader humanity.

This, to Victor can bring up students who are responsible and guided by morals (Nelles 265). Through this, teachers will be able to correct students who mess up and also enable students to learn the values, which will promote civic education in the primary schools. On the other end, this will not be fruitful in implementing, especially when the teachers and parents fail to lead as examples to the kids. in addition, teachers may lack the moral and intellectual authority and end up behaving like their learners in their behavior (Nelles 266).

The idea of the “citizenship,” also promotes teamwork especially in sports. This teamwork enhances