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"British Values" on the National Curriculum
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
On the news this morning I noticed an interesting story about how the government wish to begin teaching "British Values" such as freedom and democracy as part of citizenship lessons. This is, by their own admission, a direct response to the July 7th bombings.
As far as I can tell, the idea is to force British cultural values onto those from other cultures, mainly muslims. What I don't understand here is that, if these values have innate importance, they should call them "British", since surely they should be the target of any society if they really are so important. By calling them British values, rather than more general societal values, it is implied that the significance of these values lies not in the fact that they help society, but in their being traditionally British. For a government which promotes multiculturalism, I find this rather surprising.
Another point is, if these are values to which we should all conform, then anyone of British ancestry should be just as bound by them as anyone of foreign origin. My ancestors have lived in England for many generations, and yet I myself do not value democracy as it is suggested that all Britains should.
I think my question here is this: Is this teaching of British values a sensible way to create a feeling of community and national identity, or is it an absurd system that aims to force values onto young people in order to make them conform to the governments ideal citizens?
As far as I can tell, the idea is to force British cultural values onto those from other cultures, mainly muslims. What I don't understand here is that, if these values have innate importance, they should call them "British", since surely they should be the target of any society if they really are so important. By calling them British values, rather than more general societal values, it is implied that the significance of these values lies not in the fact that they help society, but in their being traditionally British. For a government which promotes multiculturalism, I find this rather surprising.
Another point is, if these are values to which we should all conform, then anyone of British ancestry should be just as bound by them as anyone of foreign origin. My ancestors have lived in England for many generations, and yet I myself do not value democracy as it is suggested that all Britains should.
I think my question here is this: Is this teaching of British values a sensible way to create a feeling of community and national identity, or is it an absurd system that aims to force values onto young people in order to make them conform to the governments ideal citizens?
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Comments
I'm not sure exactly if there is such a thing as "British values", or what those values are. Whatever they might be, like you have said they are unlikely to be exclusive of Britain. :rolleyes:
Pointless exercise I think.
no thanks.
Keep this contrived bollocks out of classrooms though.
However, there is a such thing as obeying the general views of a country.
Holding placards that say "Bomb Europe" does not obey Britain's "culture." Think that's what they're getting at.
What they stood for...drinking, politeness, arrogance, never say die attitude, determination, Victory. *whipes away a tear*
My God British is really Best!
eduacate impose ...and ...feel free.
Yes most countries share the same general beliefs, especially towards the more hostile strands of Islam. Even secular Muslims hate these nutters.
No it wouldn't, most countries' cultures as it stands are completely disguinshible from other countries. It's hard to tell how exactly cultures are formed but they are certainly influenced by economic factors and environmental factors, along with music aswell. I bet every country in the world has their own unique sense of culture, and most people in those countries would feel at least a little threatened if their culture was being changed in a drastic way or if it was assimilating into other cultures as you said above.
Having a culture doesn't mean everyone has to participate in it. It's a culture shared by many, not all.
(Going to bed now by the way)