Cultural Transformation, Essay Example

Introduction

As the current culture of society continues to transform, there are important consequences and implications that teachers should be aware of when attempting to overcome certain challenges. In particular, there are three major points that teachers should consider when interacting with students: the pressures of education, religious barriers, and also globalization. These topics will be discussed herein.

Teachers have the important responsibility and privilege of shaping a child’s learning. Many of the concepts and information that children study in school will remain with them for the rest of their lives. However, it often becomes difficult for teachers to influence children when they are distracted by other negative influences.

For example, a study estimates that children are exposed to an increasing amount of violence through television, and by the age of 16, the average child spends as much time watching television as in school (Wink, 1992). These violent forms of media are also changing the way children act and behave in school, as well as at home. Although this seems to place an enormous pressure on teachers to mould children’s behaviour to accept non-violence, this domestication is not entirely necessary. Rather, teachers need to be aware of these facts and should utilize children’s creative abilities in order to keep them engaged to more positive forms of learning and education.

Turning to the Catholic Church, there are certain issues to be addressed in relation to prophecy and the overriding obsession of consumerism. Although seemingly different topics, they do have a relation in regards to certain practices within Catholicism. Firstly, many Catholics hold to the traditions of the Church more than Bible teachings. This can be seen in the behaviour and lifestyle of many Catholics today; most seem to be comparable to modern-day Pharisees. As such, many Catholics have embraced liturgy as opposed to prophecy, as seen in the Catholic Church today.

Although prophecy in the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, is clearly shown and valued by many Christians today, Catholics seem to separate themselves from the rest by classing it as ancient history. Indeed, much of the prophetic books and passages of Scripture have become overlooked in preference to the Pope. This has been spurred on by what is now known as consumerism. Though embraced by some more than others, consumerism in the tradition of Christian social thought is Catholic in nature, and betrays a deep confusion about the human person (Beabout and Echeverria, 2002). Many Catholics have become entangled in consumerism, and so have lost sight of, and indeed suppressed, the voice of prophecy. The world, it seems, has become more appealing than the Word.

Lastly, globalisation has provided both advantages and disadvantages for teachers to take prophetic stances in the classroom. With the importance now placed on the end times and evangelism, prophecy is becoming a more valued gift in Churches, at least evangelically. Furthermore, more relevant courses and discussion on this topic has provided a platform for teachers to share their views on the subject more openly than before. However, in some cases, globalisation has changed long-standing views to prefer the current trend of political correctness.

Though it is true that in a Christian environment, prophecy is often valued, in other circumstances, this is rarely the case. Teachers are sometimes forced to teach what is contrary to their beliefs, in order to conform to the teachings of the school or board. It is important that teachers take a stand in their classrooms, despite the fact that such action could be judged as right or wrong by different people.

Conclusion

In summary, cultural transformation has its positives and negatives, with an emphasis on what action teachers take to make their views known. It is important to note that the pressures of education should not give way to excessive behavioural changes, but rather to positive promptings. In addition, the Church has the responsibility to give prophecy its respective place, and not allow consumerism to permeate the Christian lifestyle. Finally, globalisation provides a platform for prophecy to be shared and valued, but teachers should be aware of its disadvantages and take a stand for what is known as the truth.

References

Beabout, G. and Echeverria, E. (2002). The Culture of Consumerism: A Catholic and Personalist Critique. Journal of Markets and Morality, 5(2), 339-383.

Wink, W. (1992). Babylon Revisited: How Violent Myths Resurface Today. MediaLit. Retrieved from http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/babylon-revisited-how-violent-myths-resurface-today#top