- Explain as to how far this can be justified.
- Are there other individuals or agencies, apart from parents and teachers, who can contribute to the shaping of youths? Explain briefly.
Youth are the future citizens of a nation. Their values, discipline, civic sense and moral character are shaped by many influences. Teachers often play a greater role because they guide children during their formative years in a structured environment. However, parents remain the first moral educators. Therefore, both institutions are complementary, not competing.
(a) Role of teachers in shaping youths as good citizens
- Teachers as value-builders
- Teachers do not only transmit knowledge, they also shape attitude, discipline, curiosity and moral reasoning.
- A good teacher teaches honesty, punctuality, respect for diversity, cooperation and responsibility through both words and conduct.
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam rightly said, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre and future of an individual.”
- Teachers influence social behaviour
- Schools expose children to diversity of caste, class, religion, language and gender.
- Therefore, teachers help students learn tolerance, empathy, equality and fraternity.
- This supports constitutional morality, which is essential for citizenship in a diverse country like India.
- Teachers develop rational and ethical thinking
- Parents may influence children through love and tradition, but teachers often encourage questioning, reasoning and critical thinking.
- According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, individuals move towards higher moral reasoning through discussion, reflection and exposure to ethical dilemmas.
- Teachers can create such learning spaces through debates, case studies, group activities and civic education.
- Teachers as role models
- Students observe whether teachers are fair, unbiased and compassionate.
- A teacher who treats poor, weak or differently abled students with dignity gives a practical lesson in justice and empathy.
- Aristotle’s virtue ethics also emphasises that virtues develop through practice and imitation of good examples.
- Limit of the claim
- It is not fully correct to say that teachers play a greater role than parents in every case.
- Parents shape the earliest habits of truthfulness, respect, discipline and emotional security.
- Family remains the first school of character. Hence, teachers can strengthen civic values, but parents lay the emotional and moral foundation.
(b) Other individuals and agencies that shape youths
- Peers and friends
- Peer groups strongly influence behaviour, language, confidence and lifestyle.
- Positive peer influence can promote teamwork, leadership and social responsibility.
- Media and social media
- Digital platforms shape opinions, aspirations and political attitudes.
- Responsible media can promote awareness, but fake news and harmful content can weaken moral judgement.
- Community and civil society
- Youth clubs, NGOs, religious institutions, sports groups and cultural organisations teach service, cooperation and social responsibility.
- For example, NSS, NCC and Scouts and Guides develop discipline, patriotism and civic duty.
- State and institutions
- Laws, schools, public campaigns and welfare schemes also influence citizenship.
- Programmes on voting awareness, Swachh Bharat, road safety and environmental protection build civic consciousness.
- Public figures
- Leaders like Gandhi, Ambedkar, Vivekananda and Abdul Kalam inspire youths towards justice, service and national duty.
Conclusion
Thus, teachers play a powerful role in shaping youths into good citizens by developing knowledge, values and civic awareness. However, parents, peers, media, community, institutions and public role models also contribute. A good citizen emerges when family values, educational ethics and social environment work together in harmony.
