How can we “do” social studies properly?
How do you personally “do” social studies in day-to-day life? I think the social studies are essentially everything we do, as human beings, as citizens, as sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, that helps us survive this crazy world. The term “social studies” has sadly been condensed down to the stereotype of a boring content area that is taught in school. Unless you’re a book worm, social studies is pretty brutal. However, I challenge this stigma.
Recently my sister and I went back and forth about politics. Generally speaking, I avoid the conversation of government and Donald Trump altogether. However, this time my sister and I got into the heated debate of whether or not it is acceptable to choose not to vote. I will not bore you with the nitty gritty of who said what (because it was not a pleasant conversation), but I would like to discuss the ability to have this conversation at all. Having the proper skills to communicate an issue, whether it be politics or not, is what I believe to be the goal of social studies. I have met a lot of adults who can properly advocate their views and feelings to others and I have also met a lot of people who cannot. For example, in the past football season many NFL teams chose to protest during the national anthem against President Trump. Whether you support this movement or not, it is a wonderful example of how to voice your opinions to the public, how to “do” social studies, in a respectful, adult way. Instead of projecting one’s viewpoints on someone else, NFL players made a conscious, respectful, informed choice to practice their civil rights about social studies issues.
Children begin to develop and understand social studies at a very young age. One psychological study on young children examined the early effect of racism. This famous study, highlighted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, showed footage of young children identifying traits, such as pretty, smart, ugly, dumb, etc. and assigning them to either black or white animated girls. Both white and black children identified the “white” animated figures in a positive manner while claiming the “black” animated figures in a negative connotation. This study is shocking and heartbreaking to see. I think many adults think that children are oblivious to such controversial issues. However, as seen in this study, young children adopt these ideas from society constantly, exercising the social studies without even truly realizing it. Children are not born racist; children learn from the environment they are exposed to and the adult role models in their life. As teachers, we must teach our young students about the difficult and upsetting issues we face in our society. We must help our students “do” social studies in a way that we can be proud of. If we do this, not only will we form better citizens, but we will help our children to be better people.
