Social Problems

For over a hundred years, Emile Durkheim a French sociologist, social psychologist and philosopher did not think that education can be the key to change society and put an end to the social sickness that they were having. Instead, he believed “that the only way education can be improved, if society can improved itself.” He claimed that education “is only the image and reflection of society. It imitates and reproduces the latter…it does not create it” (Durkheim, 1897/1951: 372-373). The role of education in America is widely recognized as an instrument of social change. Social change occurs only when human beings need a challenge; this happens when society falls short in meeting the needs of its people and innovated ways offer better opportunity of meeting their needs. According to Robert MacIver a Scottish sociologist suggested that social change happens in reaction to several types in the social and non social environment. Education can teach social change by producing a change in the view and behavior of people. (MacIver, Politics and Society: 57-58) It also can produce a change in guiding the social relationships and by doing so, it can bring social change. When I was in school , I was taught life skills that will help me to be a productive citizens such table etiquette, I was disciplined for negative behavior or show any type of disrespect towards my peers and staff without fear that "it would hinder my mental development" Bible was permitted to be read,Christianity was valued and honored, I was encourage to have more creativity and imagination and to think for myself and not have to worry about meeting standards the government set for me according to the standard test ,. Today’s education does not place much value in conducting a way of life to the students. Early education was a means for unchanging a society that was not being notice of any change, early education was affiliated with religion, Today’s education focus more on teaching knowledge. As an educator, one tends to believe that these institutions have become private institutions. Education now is focusing on the development of technology and science. Education is the key to life, if there is anything that determines what makes or breaks a person it is education. Education is the foundation to life. School teaches how to study, interact with peers and adult in authority, partake in extracurricular activities, teach us how to adjust and adapt to different social situations and prepare for life so we all provide the right kind environment for ourselves and family once we become adults. However, there are some economical an social obstacles that some children will face that will hinder their development that will transpire into the school. Certainly, within last the half century society has change dramatically. The divorce rate has risen in an uncontrollable rate and children are being raised by single parents. Growing up in a single parent’s home will have a negative effect on a child’s emotional state and that can cause low academic performance at school. This does not say that children who have both parents at home will perform better or their emotional needs are met, most families today with both parents have to work and one of the parents may have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Children who belong to certain ethnic groups are earmarked as slow learners compared to their counterparts because they may not be able to grasp the material as fast. One’s learning ability does not determine their ethnic background, but their environment and social factors can affect them because of the lack of resources. Stereotypical bias cause children to have low self and teachers may times contribute to the situation by treating them differently. Gender is another social issue in education with the difference in sex. I notice from experience working as a behavior specialist in the school system for 12 years; boys and girls learn differently. They will sit in the same classroom, receiving the same lesson plan, reading out of the same textbook, still boys and girl learn differently and receive different education. It appears the girls perform at an equal if not at a higher rate than boys during their years, once they graduate they seems to fall behind in the work force Economic issues have an effect on children’s learning. Children, who reside in poor communities, attend public schools, lack resources and the technology. Normally Tier 1 School’s and these are the lowest performance schools. Most of these schools are located in urban districts. This automatically will put them in a disadvantage when they are compared to the children who attend private schools or suburban school districts. With America being a diversified country, we have different cultures attending our school system with English being their second language. This will create an obstacle in communicating. Some teachers struggle with the language barrier which can cause a disadvantage learning curve for these students. In conclusion, there has not been any promise in view for the issue that America is having with education system and as a result, the question about what type of act needs to take place. The conflicting sides are evenly matched and now our great learners are left to put up with the effects of any choices made by elected officials and about the future of their education. These issues will not be resolve until the policy makers that are affiliated with school decision can be work out , nothing can be achieved.

REFERENCE
Facing the Racial Divide: Molnar, Alex
The Missing Dimension of Modern Education: Values Education: Kenan, Seyfi
Is It Social Problem Solving or Decision Making? Implications for Health Education: Frauenknecht, Marianne; Black, David R.
Politics and Society: Robert M MacIver