Where Does Education Become Indoctrination?
All parents have certain beliefs and approaches to life that they value highly and feel compelled to pass on to their children. Both religious and political beliefs are clear examples of this. The question is, when does education become indoctrination? It is a delicate subject because if one believes parents are indoctrinating their children in a way that is harmful to the children or society, then one must consider whether it is appropriate for the State to step in and take action. I know many fundamentalist Christians who fear that someday they could lose their children for raising them to believe as they do. Rumors have floated around for years about the possibility that parents who raise their children to believe homosexuality is abhorrent in God’s eyes could be arrested, for example. On the other hand, sometimes religious or political beliefs can be perceived as having negative consequences for society, and in many cases educators have responded by working to broaden children’s mi
