Why Civic Education is Important for Students

For the longest time, our very own American education system has always emphasized learning math, science, and literacy. 

These are essential fields that help us prepare for our future careers. Unfortunately, while all of those are important, it often leads to glossing over a subject just as important and valuable: civics.

But why precisely does it make civics important? Let’s take a look.

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The Importance of Civics Education

As a country functioning under a democracy, our participation in civic life is nothing but essential to sustaining this. In fact, without it, our government will not work, and our democratic way of life will not last. 

Unfortunately, not all of us are aware of our role as American citizens, nor the civic rights that we are entitled to and how we can use them to make positive change.

Because of this, civic education should be empathized in the American education system as well as other subjects like math, science, and literacy, as this will help young people become knowledgeable and proactive members of society once they grow up.

Here are the top reasons why students should study civic education.

Government Fundamentals

Proper civic education will teach young students about the fundamentals of the government and teach them the respective duties of its executive, judicial, and legislative branches. 

It will also teach young students how all these three branches work together to run a country, guide its citizens, and create an adequate checks and balances system.

Knowledgeable Voting

Another reason that civic education is essential is that it teaches our children to be knowledgeable and proactive in voting. 

Through civic education, students learn that every vote is critical during an election, and voting is one of the many ways that we can make our individual and collective voices be heard. 

Additionally, civic education also teaches our children to make informed decisions regarding choosing a politician running for office.

Citizen Ownership

Civic education also teaches our students that as adults, we lawful citizens own the government. This means that it should be serving us people, not the politicians holding positions in it. 

Moreover, students will also learn that they should represent the people and not their interests for a politician to be good. In turn, we citizens should have the power to vote people in and out of office.

Government Limitations

Lastly, civic education stops our children from thinking that our central government controls us. Instead, it has limitations, including our Constitutional rights that should not be violated or taken away from us. 

Civic education also teaches them about the Bill of Rights, the Amendments, and why these constitutional frameworks give power to us people and, at the same time, prevent the government from abuse of power by setting clearly defined limitations.

Conclusion

Ultimately, civic education teaches our students to be well-informed and active citizens. If you’re interested in learning about civic education outside of school, you may check Adobe Education Exchange Civics classes for civics projects and activities designed to engage people of all ages.