Should Etiquette Be Taught at School?

According to the ABC News survey, 73 percent of Americans feel manners are worse today than they were 20 or 30 years ago. Although character education is a hot topic in schools across the nation, education in maners often receives scant attention; with growing demands on teaching time, etiquette is rarely a priority. It might be a mistake to ignore the adage that actions speak louder than words, however. Teachers who teach manners said they notice a real difference in students' attitudes, in the way they treat one another, and in their schoolwork. Although some might say that manners are to be taught from the parents, the places children learn to socialize are not only at home, but also at school; it is their second home. A child either learns different moral values from his home or from his school. These days with both of the parents working, a child rarely gets the opportunity to learn moral and social values from home. In the past, although the parents were working, grandparents took care of their grandchildren and taught them important lessons of life, however, this is no longer prevalent as more and more families get unconcerned of teaching manners to young people. Of course not all the parents are failing to teach manners, but it is surprising to see many adults who do not know the correct ways of being respectful. Then how are they to educate their children? Thus, the only way we can ensure our future generation to learn etiquette is by schools.

Firstly, etiquette makes an agreable and a peaceful classroom. These days, there is a misconception that etiquette is about formal behavior. The foundation of etiquette is kindness to others, treating others as you would like to be treated. Although many of its rules evolved into f...

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... and that everyone matters. Our children's future and success will be enhanced by the use of appropriate behavior. Let us create an environment in our homes, schools, and churches where manners are taught and valued so that every child feels safe and becomes all they were created to be. A quote by William Arthur Ward makes people wonder whether they have been polite and good-mannered during the day: "God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?"

Works Cited

"William Arthur Ward Quotes." William Arthur Ward Quotes (Author of Fountains of Faith;). Goodreads, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.

Bernstein, Paula. "Should Schools Teach Etiquette?" Babble RSS. Disney Family, 25 June 2010. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.

Ensor, Josie. "School Hires Etiquette Coach to Teach Pupils Manners." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 28 Aug. 0018. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.