ABSTRACT

The rapid social and economic change witnessed by society in the 1990s has led to intense debate about the values of young people and the role of educators in equipping them to become responsible adults in a culturally diverse society. The church has entered the debate with Carey (1996) recognizing the ‘strong moral concern’ of children but questioning the part currently being played by schools in fostering this concern. The National Forum for Values in Education has drawn up guidelines for schools emphasizing the family, relationships, the self and the environment. Central to this debate is a concern that children should become active citizens in the future, with a moral framework to guide them. The media report that young people are not interested in voting and that they have no desire to be actively involved in creating a better society (TES, 1996). As a result there is a fear that young people are apathetic, devoid of interest in current issues and cynical about the part they can play in society. What is missing from this debate is the perspectives of children themselves. It is this that this chapter seeks to redress.