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Editorial "One of the greatest needs of education is a commitment and a program to develop character. Every healthy society needs a common core of accepted values to give it cohesive and. minimal stability”. This paragraph is a quotation from an editorial written by an American professor of political sc1ence, and the thought expressed. seemed worth passing on for consid- eration, perhaps debate, by members of the Ontario Women's Institute. The professor then s_ays that unless a society is prepared to indoctrinate its Children with these values, that soctety is headed for trouble. Some of the Suggested values are as follows: Honesty and Truthfulnessâ€"Returning accidental overpnynients at the cashier's counter, rejecting the urge to shoplift, resisting the temptation to cheat at exams, learning that it in as wrong to steal from the government or corporations as from individuals. Trustworthinessâ€"Consider how much we appreciate those who live up to their word and carry out their responstbilities, despite distractions and difficulties. Work “fell doneâ€"shoddy workmanship is so prevalent these days. It is a form of cheating. It gives satisfaction to no one. Users of poorly made articles and victims of intliffutcnt senices are unhappy and the worker deprives himself of the joy and pride derived from work conscientiously done. _Kindness and compassionâ€"Young people should learn the value of kindness to all people With whom they come in contact, not only friends but the humble, the poor, the aged, even those we do not like very well. The courage to admit mistakesâ€"Children should learn that it is a mark of courage. hot-testyl emotional health and maturity to acknowledge mistakes and “here indicated it: ask forgiveness. Respect for lawâ€"Respect for law in a democratic state is an obligation of citizenship. Respect for law enforcement officers when they are doing their duty is essential for peaceful living without fear. Non-violence in pursuit of one's goalsrChildren and young people should recognize that violence breeds violence, that its fruits are hatred, fear and the desire for revenge. Respect for democratic rightsAâ€"Respect for the rights of llll to freedom of speech. including those whose views they detestgfreedom of assembly, religion. llI‘Kl equality under the law. To the list of values suggested by the professor, we could add good nmnners.Tl1c following is quoted from a recent Royal Bank of Canada Monthly lullcr. "Culture and fine manners are everywhere a passport to friendship and respect. Good manners are the necessary guards of decency and the peace of society. Manners are a matter of public concern and yet we hear and read less about their cultivation than we do about dieting and daily dozens and all sort». of things to preserve and enhatICe physical beauty . . . Part of courtesy is politeness. Politeness is like an air cushion; there may be nothing to it but 2 es our jolts wonderfully. A 'pleasu' and a 'thank you’ may seem to be trivial things but they swueten services and are agreeable to people". The professor also suggests that there will be those who will object to these "middle class" values being taught to children and young people. But are these values not sound and wholesome? And in addition to those cited, could we not add cleanliness, punctuality and emphasis on education and self improvement. "Children hunger to know right from wrong, and thirst for models who persunify these qualities which appeal to the best Widiin us," says-the professor. He suggests also that these values can be taught by textbooks, and other readings which by story or historical example illustrate the moral laws all children should learn. It is probably not realistic to expect that these values could he incorporatth into the Ontario school curriculum. Yet in these days when so many values art- being questioned in the idea not worth considering? The individual educator can do a tremendous amount of good through example and teaching if they could be impressed with the value of such training. And here again is another responsibility for parents. A child's future may depend to a greater extent than we realize on indoctrination With these values. FALL 1 971