Education is the absorption of knowledge from the accessible sources for the complete development of mind, body and soul. It is impractical to think of gaining knowledge about everything that exists. To ease in the process of education, it is bifurcated into general and technical. General education deals with the moral development of the learners whereas technical education is job oriented.
General education aims at imparting knowledge stemming from various sources. It is the process that teaches a student to think critically, develop values, understand traditions, respect diverse cultures and opinions and use knowledge for the edification of society. It is holistic, integrative and must be implemented. General education renders a person socially functional.
Technical education imparts theoretical and practical knowledge for the purpose of economic progress of the individual. It is highly specialised and fractioned.
Technical knowledge equips a person with necessary skills and techniques to have an edge in the cut-throat competitive environment. The dependence on technology even for small jobs has raised the necessity to learn more about technology. Moreover, day-to-day developments in science and technology have increased the fields of knowledge and thus the number of people required for the job.
General education and technical education are exclusive of each other but complementary. For the complete development of the individual, there is a necessity of a balance between the two. A person needs to grow into partially independent and socially acceptable entity. It will also help the society to develop in all aspects and also the nation.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Violence among youths
Youth is the premature version of the Homosapiens. It is the most vulnerable section of the society. Violence among youths is one of the most visible forms of violence in the society. It is evident in fights in schools and colleges, unrest during disagreements at home and workplaces. The victims and perpetrators of such violence, almost everywhere, are adolescents and young adults.
According to various surveys, homicide and non-fatal assaults involving young people contribute greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability. Youth violence deeply harms not only its victims, but also their families, friends and communities. Its effects are seen not only in death, illness and disability, but also in terms of quality of life. Violence involving young people adds greatly to the cost of health and welfare services, reduces productivity, decreases the value of property etc.
Apart from undermining the structure of society, violent people divert from their main course of life. They display problems such as truancy and dropping out of school, substance abuse, compulsive lying, reckless driving etc. Witnessing violence at home may force youngsters to regard violence as an acceptable means of resolving problems.
Researchers have identified the factors predominantly responsible for youth violence to fall under following categories – relationship, society and community influences and situational reactions.
Parental behaviour and family environment are central factors in the development of violent behaviour in young people. Poor monitoring and supervision of children by parents and the use of harsh, physical punishment to discipline children are strong predictors of violence during adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents in families which have disintegrated because of conflicts or rapid social change show prevalent violent tendencies. Peers’ influence is also instrumental in shaping interpersonal relationships.
The rules, norms, obligations, reciprocity and trust that exist in social relations also determine the nature of young people. Young people living in places that lack the social capital, tend to perform poorly in schools and colleges. Rapid demographic changes in youth population, modernization, emigration, urbanization, social unrest have been linked with increase in youth violence. The political structures, their policies and mode of conduct also affect the behaviour of the youth.
Resorting to means such as demonstrations against the decisions of the governing body, either in a city or in any institution, instead of peaceful conversation shows the increase in the violence among youths.
Violence among the youth cannot be suppressed by force. It is a slow and steady process. Various social development programmes have been launched with the motive of reducing the antisocial and aggressive behaviour in children and violence among adolescents. Their focus is on managing anger, modifying behaviour, adopting a social perspective, moral development, building social skills, solving social problems and resolving conflicts. They also focus on improving the productivity and efficiency of the youth. No doubt, the social programmes are very active in solving the problems of the youth but what is indispensible is the support from parents and well wishers. Their role is to understand the situations being faced by the adolescents, their responses and the reasons behind them. It is their responsibility to show them the correct way to perform. Ultimately, it is the parents that understand the need of their wards.
According to various surveys, homicide and non-fatal assaults involving young people contribute greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability. Youth violence deeply harms not only its victims, but also their families, friends and communities. Its effects are seen not only in death, illness and disability, but also in terms of quality of life. Violence involving young people adds greatly to the cost of health and welfare services, reduces productivity, decreases the value of property etc.
Apart from undermining the structure of society, violent people divert from their main course of life. They display problems such as truancy and dropping out of school, substance abuse, compulsive lying, reckless driving etc. Witnessing violence at home may force youngsters to regard violence as an acceptable means of resolving problems.
Researchers have identified the factors predominantly responsible for youth violence to fall under following categories – relationship, society and community influences and situational reactions.
Parental behaviour and family environment are central factors in the development of violent behaviour in young people. Poor monitoring and supervision of children by parents and the use of harsh, physical punishment to discipline children are strong predictors of violence during adolescence and adulthood. Adolescents in families which have disintegrated because of conflicts or rapid social change show prevalent violent tendencies. Peers’ influence is also instrumental in shaping interpersonal relationships.
The rules, norms, obligations, reciprocity and trust that exist in social relations also determine the nature of young people. Young people living in places that lack the social capital, tend to perform poorly in schools and colleges. Rapid demographic changes in youth population, modernization, emigration, urbanization, social unrest have been linked with increase in youth violence. The political structures, their policies and mode of conduct also affect the behaviour of the youth.
Resorting to means such as demonstrations against the decisions of the governing body, either in a city or in any institution, instead of peaceful conversation shows the increase in the violence among youths.
Violence among the youth cannot be suppressed by force. It is a slow and steady process. Various social development programmes have been launched with the motive of reducing the antisocial and aggressive behaviour in children and violence among adolescents. Their focus is on managing anger, modifying behaviour, adopting a social perspective, moral development, building social skills, solving social problems and resolving conflicts. They also focus on improving the productivity and efficiency of the youth. No doubt, the social programmes are very active in solving the problems of the youth but what is indispensible is the support from parents and well wishers. Their role is to understand the situations being faced by the adolescents, their responses and the reasons behind them. It is their responsibility to show them the correct way to perform. Ultimately, it is the parents that understand the need of their wards.
Social responsibility of media
In technical terms, media refers to the storage and transmission tools used to store and deliver information. In journalism, the media refers to the sources which provide information about current events, trends, issues and people, the analysts and the electronic systems and software which aid presentation of data. Today, ‘media’ is used synonymously with mass media or news media.
Media of today is much more advanced than that existed at the time of independence or even before. With the advent of technology and professionalism, the media has become much more effective today. Moreover, with power come responsibilities.
Media must play an important role in the development of the nation. It must act as the voice of the people. Once people’s representatives are chosen, the media must ensure that they must work to fulfil their promises. Media must highlight the problems of the people and if possible also work out solutions to solve them. Till date, media’s involvement in politics and general development has been important in mitigating corruption and favouritism. Media must help in formulating national opinion on any issue by highlighting its every aspect. Moreover, media must promote and publicise the heritage of the country, new developments at college and industrial level, achievements of various students in all fields, upcoming of various entrepreneurs etc.
Media with its new information and communication technology can analyse the minds of political parties, pressure groups and new social movements for public information and opinion construction. However, it often fails due to self-critical examination of the news, opinions, articles and editorials on conflicts and violence. At times, media ignores the possible consequences of fabricated, biased or sensitive information being portrayed among the people, which lead to misunderstanding and preaching of hatred, fear and communal feeling. Moreover, media exploits its freedom of speech to dishonour celebrities and politicians, as a means to take revenge or to fulfil personal desires.
Today, as the world progresses towards successful development and globalization, it is the moral responsibility of the media to abstain from generating false news and conflicts and to address the nature and sources of interstate and internal conflicts. If possible media must discuss and implement the preventive measures and work towards establishing peace and honour.
Media of today is much more advanced than that existed at the time of independence or even before. With the advent of technology and professionalism, the media has become much more effective today. Moreover, with power come responsibilities.
Media must play an important role in the development of the nation. It must act as the voice of the people. Once people’s representatives are chosen, the media must ensure that they must work to fulfil their promises. Media must highlight the problems of the people and if possible also work out solutions to solve them. Till date, media’s involvement in politics and general development has been important in mitigating corruption and favouritism. Media must help in formulating national opinion on any issue by highlighting its every aspect. Moreover, media must promote and publicise the heritage of the country, new developments at college and industrial level, achievements of various students in all fields, upcoming of various entrepreneurs etc.
Media with its new information and communication technology can analyse the minds of political parties, pressure groups and new social movements for public information and opinion construction. However, it often fails due to self-critical examination of the news, opinions, articles and editorials on conflicts and violence. At times, media ignores the possible consequences of fabricated, biased or sensitive information being portrayed among the people, which lead to misunderstanding and preaching of hatred, fear and communal feeling. Moreover, media exploits its freedom of speech to dishonour celebrities and politicians, as a means to take revenge or to fulfil personal desires.
Today, as the world progresses towards successful development and globalization, it is the moral responsibility of the media to abstain from generating false news and conflicts and to address the nature and sources of interstate and internal conflicts. If possible media must discuss and implement the preventive measures and work towards establishing peace and honour.
Growing impact of television and fall of reading habits
Television has become an integral part of one’s life. Television provides with entertainment and important information. After day’s work, people switch television to watch the soaps of their interest. Moreover, existence of large number of channels provides with many options to choose from. People prefer television as a mode of relaxation and pleasure rather than conversing with family members.
Television has also affected the reading habits of children and adults.
Since ancient time, books have been considered to be the supreme collection of knowledge. Books enrich minds with thoughts and vocabulary. They provide insight on every topic which further forces the mind to create its own philosophies. The stories in books provide great morals for kids, teach them proper behaviour and facilitate the building of their characters. However, as the information becomes more accessible through radio and television, the habit of reading books is declining. The information available through television is easy to process as the mind has to do lesser work. People have substituted reading books with watching television. However, the advantages of reading books have gone unnoticed in the fast paced transformation.
No matter how easy is the accessibility of information, the television can only provide the surface story. The reasons and views of people behind the scene can only be known via books. Books analyse each and every step in the process. It establishes the reasons in detail, linking it with the ideology of the perpetuators. General purpose reading helps in formulating the opinions and philosophies. Reading books help a person in intellectual development.
Benefits of reading over television viewing can be understood by watching an event and then reading about it. The written description is much more detailed than the one telecasted. It might also seem to be normal. However, if a person who lacks reading habit would try to describe the event only after watching it, the description will not be complete. The problem faced here is the absence of words while explaining the event. Though, the snapshots of the events will be running in the minds yet the words will not be penned down. The reason is the abstinence of reading books. While reading books, mind creates images of the events being read and relates important words with it, thus, memorising the words in relation with the pictures that it created.
Reading books is a nourishing activity. It needs to be flourished since the childhood for the development of intellect. Otherwise, heavy doses of vitamins and minerals will be needed as human advances through various phases of life.
Television has also affected the reading habits of children and adults.
Since ancient time, books have been considered to be the supreme collection of knowledge. Books enrich minds with thoughts and vocabulary. They provide insight on every topic which further forces the mind to create its own philosophies. The stories in books provide great morals for kids, teach them proper behaviour and facilitate the building of their characters. However, as the information becomes more accessible through radio and television, the habit of reading books is declining. The information available through television is easy to process as the mind has to do lesser work. People have substituted reading books with watching television. However, the advantages of reading books have gone unnoticed in the fast paced transformation.
No matter how easy is the accessibility of information, the television can only provide the surface story. The reasons and views of people behind the scene can only be known via books. Books analyse each and every step in the process. It establishes the reasons in detail, linking it with the ideology of the perpetuators. General purpose reading helps in formulating the opinions and philosophies. Reading books help a person in intellectual development.
Benefits of reading over television viewing can be understood by watching an event and then reading about it. The written description is much more detailed than the one telecasted. It might also seem to be normal. However, if a person who lacks reading habit would try to describe the event only after watching it, the description will not be complete. The problem faced here is the absence of words while explaining the event. Though, the snapshots of the events will be running in the minds yet the words will not be penned down. The reason is the abstinence of reading books. While reading books, mind creates images of the events being read and relates important words with it, thus, memorising the words in relation with the pictures that it created.
Reading books is a nourishing activity. It needs to be flourished since the childhood for the development of intellect. Otherwise, heavy doses of vitamins and minerals will be needed as human advances through various phases of life.
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