Democratic citizenship: Responsible life in a free society

The Convention on the Rights of Child charges educators not only to respect children’s rights but also to prepare children to develop as responsible citizens in a free society. The Convention enriches the perspective of school psychologists by emphasizing the need to respect children’s rights while also promoting their competencies as political agents. The Convention also opens up new possibilities for school psychologists to collaborate with teachers and administrators in providing more effective civic education. Civic education should teach children not only about democratic institutions but also how to live democratically in their everyday lives. To this end civic education should not be limited to a course within the formal curriculum of the school. Schools ought to provide children with experiences of democratic governance by giving them the opportunity to make and enforce school rules and policies. School psychologists should help teachers to involve students in deliberations that affect their lives and to see discipline or classroom management as much more than a matter of establishing order through social control. With proper guidance and support children can learn how to deliberate together to uphold the rights of all and to pursue the common good.
Source: School Psychology International - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Theme issue articles Source Type: research