Submitted by Dan Cosgrove
Calhoun Middle School
Social Studies Teacher
What to do about Syria? After watching pundits on all the news shows spout their opinions, I wanted to know what our youth had to say. As part of our current events endeavors in school, students were provided with news stories on the events happening in Syria. Views from both the "left" and "right" were also provided. Students studied maps of the area and were finally asked to write what they thought the United States should do.
They were asked when, or if, the United States should get involved in other countries internal conflictsâwhether due to famine, disease, civil war, atrocities against innocent people, etc. They were also asked who should make the decision whether the United States gets involved.
Of the twenty-four 6-8th grade students in my "Current Events Learning Skills" class, one-third of the class were for getting involved, while the majority, two-thirds, were against the United States getting involved.
On the question of who should make the decision on the United States respnnse
Eight thought the president should.
Four thought the president and congress should make the decision together.
One said just congress.
Three said our government and the soldiers.
Two felt the American people should vote on a response.
One didn't say who should make the decision, but did say "Obama, you better not get us involved with all the crap in Syria."
Another student didn't "know who would be good to make the decisions," but did say, "I don't think Obama should because Obama wants to go to war."
One student who doesn't want us involved said, she was afraid that if her sister was sent over, "she might get chemical poisoned" and wanted the president to know if that happened "I'm gonna be kicking someâ¦" well never mind, you get the point.
Three students did not have a chance to finish their essay and answer the question.
Samplings of responses - For U.S. Involvement:
"Isn't the United States known for helping out other people?"
"I think we should send military men to go to Syria and save the people that need us."
"The United States should at least try to help some countries. Especially ones, who kill their own, like Hitler, and now the thing that is happening in Syria."
"If it was you over there in Syria wouldn't you want a hero to come and help you? I would."
"Yes we should get involved. Little children are dying. We need to get involved."
Samplings of responses - Against U.S. involvement:
"For war to be called we need evidence."
"We should help, but war shouldn't be our first option."
"If Obama decides to stick our troops into this battle, there is a very good chance of a "World War III starting" (A number of students shared the same sentiments).
"I'd rather some stranger die than someone in my family."
"Then all that is accomplished was killing a bunch of innocent people, and spending a bunch of money."
"I think people are idiots being in warâ¦We all live in the same worldâ¦God created."
"If we get involved many more people will die."
"Many of our soldiers and our family members may get killed."
"If the president was going to do something, he should have done it."
"It might come back to bite us in the butt."
Again, this was a class with 6-8th grade students, 11 to 13 year olds. All I can say, we have some pretty smart kids in Calhoun.
Who's right? Well, one of my favorite quotes is from Robert Hutchins, an educator. It goes like this, "It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with factsâ¦it is to teach them to think ⦠and always to think for themselves."
So, to answer the question, who's right? I don't know, but they all have an "A" from me.
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