Should Civics be Taught in American High Schools?

              An education of civics is extremely important in political socialization. Many Democratic societies implement in some way or form civic education, to teach citizens about social norms, virtues, or the basic rules and principles of the democratic process. Most people have come in contact with civic education. For example, by the time a child reaches the first grade, they have most likely have received elements of a civic education whether it be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, learning about the Revolutionary war, the founding of our country, the Constitution, or even the struggle for civil rights. However, these efforts to educate the young may have proven to be futile according to a study in which only one quarter of all high school seniors reached proficiency in their American political knowledge. French political commentator Alexis de Tocqueville argued that without common values and virtues, there can be no common action or social stability.
              Those who believe we should teach civics in American high schools may think about how political participation, political socialization, and civic education are related. Knowledge of democratic institutions and processes may increase involvement in the American political process. They may also think about how civic education plays an important role in a democratic society. A civic education can increase cooperation, toleration of dissent and opposing views, and political compromise. It may prepare student for the realities of pluralistic democratic life. In addition, they may think about how civic education complements political socialization, believing that if schools do not provide for a common, basic understanding of political processes in the United States, no one will, that the common myths and beliefs that provide the foundation for political culture cannot be found outside of schools.
              Those who believe we should not teach civics in American high schools may think about how civic education is innately biased, believing that in our free multicultural society, certain values and social views should not be pressed upon individuals. They may believe that schools should not determine what social values are central to a civic education or that teaching one viewpoint may stifle the diversity of cultures and political views that strengthen American democracy. They may also argue that schools have more important responsibilities. With the competing demands placed on the education system today, including budgetary constraints, growing enrollments, and standardized testing, schools cannot realistically be expected to focus on civic education, that with these constraints, schools cannot do an effective job of civic education. In addition, they may argue that responsibility for teaching civics should fall to the family, believing that something as important as civic education should not be left to schools which have to balance a number of other competing goals. Other agents of political socialization, such as the family or religious establishments will be better suited to bear the primary responsibility for civic education. I believe civic education should be taught in American high schools. The topic is just as important as other core subjects because understanding political norms plays a key role in your life. People arguing against educating student in schools on civics say that schools may not be reliable for teaching students,  but in my opinion, schools may be more effective than learning in a home environment because teachers are better qualified and will definitely have the proper materials to educate students.