In today’s society, where everything is mostly online, high school students need to learn about politics beyond what they’re taught in the classroom. Taking the time to learn about politics and glocal issues isn’t just about having information. It’s also about becoming your own person, learning to think critically, and preparing to participate in society productively. When students take control of their learning, they gain tools and skills to understand more complex issues and make smarter decisions that will impact their future.
Creating Your Own Self-Image
When high school students take the initiative to research politics on their own, they develop real opinions instead of just copying what their parents, teachers, or anyone else thinks. This allows them to figure out what values really matter to them based on their own experiences in life.
Taking it upon themselves to research independently pushes students to question and challenge what they hear, and develop thoughtful opinions that reflect their values. The process of independent research helps them become “real” individuals and not just a copy of the people around them.
In doing this, it allows students to see different viewpoints and perspectives on different topics, which then they can build up a level of maturity in that they are willing to listen and learn from others. This is a very important skill to colleges and employers, but also to the world in general.
Understanding Things More Deeply
Classroom teachings about government are often shallow and lack depth. Teachers are put on a limited schedule to teach a grand curriculum, leading to rushed and shallow learning. However, if students were to learn independently, they could delve deeper into topics they are passionate about, leading to increased learning.
When students research politics independently, they can learn about the history behind today’s news, examine different perspectives on controversial issues, and have a better understanding of how the political systems work.
Taking initiative to learn also helps students connect political ideas to real-life outcomes. They can begin to see how government policies affect communities. This understanding builds empathy and awareness of social issues
Conclusion
Although schools provide the important basics, high school students should still take the initiative to learn about politics and world events so that they can take advantage of the benefits. Learning on their own helps students create their own perspectives on things, understand complex issues in the world, and further prepare them for the future. With the world being in a great divide, there is a strong need for young people who can think critically about politics and not blindly follow their side of things. Encouraging high schoolers to explore politics allows for a higher chance of a brighter future.
