ARTICLES
Parental Responsibility in Africa as a Catalyst for Moral Education in the Light of Gravissimum Educationis by Gerald M. Kimario, AJ
Introduction
In our current society, there is a dire need to reaffirm the role of parents in curbing the decline of educational moral values in African learning institutions. Indeed, “parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principle educators.” The article focuses on parental obligation, which is seriously under threat.
The article intends to re-affirm parental obligation in Africa as a catalyst for moral education in the light of Gravissimum Educationis (hereinafter GE). It will take into consideration the nature of moral education and how the evolving contemporary issues such as insufficient involvement of parents, excessive individualism, social communication media, new family dynamics, and insufficient training for experts have greatly affected the roles of parents. The article will analyze the concept of parental responsibility in a multicultural society.
The first part of the article focuses on the description of concepts. Secondly, the structure of moral education and its challenges while tracing the root causes of the eroded moral code will be taken into consideration. Thirdly, the article will delve into the critical analysis of the most teachings of GE; then critique and look at re-contextualization. Accordingly, the fifth step proposes integral ethics of parental responsibility as a new approach to moral education. Finally, the article suggests areas for the recommended way forward by identifying those who can make it a reality.
PUBLISHER
African Christian Studies 35: 1&2 (March & June 2019): 57-79.