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| Kyla Calvert, NPR |
Link: http://www.npr.org/2013/01/09/168613461/promoting-hinduism-parents-demand-removal-of-school-yoga-class?sc=tw
David Newman explains that, after family, the American education system serves as the second most "powerful institutional agent of socialization" (Newman, 152). Because schools have the ability to shape children's values, perspectives, and self-concepts, it is, of course, expected that parents will show interest in what their children are learning in the institutions they are a part of. While, for the most part, institutions work together peacefully for the benefit of society, conflicts in interest do occur across institutional boundaries.
This article is an example of what can happen when two leading agents of socialization, i.e. the family and the school, come into conflict. A number of parents began protesting against the yoga classes due to their perceptions of yoga as being inseparable from its Hindu roots. One of the parents expressed that the yoga classes are "meant to shape the way that they view the world, it's meant to shape the way that they make life decisions" (Calvert, 2012). Despite criticisms, the classes have continued and there are plans to bring the yoga classes to all schools within the Encinitas district in 2013.
The article also highlights the uneasiness associated with changing norms in social institutions. Before the late 1800's when Swami Vivekananda spoke at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, yogic practices were unheard of in America. Now, you can find yoga studios in most cities around the country! And until recently, the concept of incorporating hatha yoga into school curricula was extremely rare. The creation of new norms in a society happens over an extended period of time- the adoption of alternative healing practices into American lifestyles is no exception.
Sources:
Newman, David (2012). Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life: 9th Edition. SAGE Publications.
Calvert, Kyla (2013). Promoting Hinduism? Parents Demand Removal Of School Yoga Class. Jan 9, NPR.
For more about Swami Vivekananda: http://www.vivekananda.org/
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI thought you did an awesome job! That was really interesting that your incorporated a source outside of the textbook.I completely agree that education is a major source on how we develope a sense of self and learn are role in life. I think yoga is a great way to deepen that sense and release the stresses of everyday. Are the yoga classes performed everyday, or incorporated into a gym class? I feel like I can understand the parents concerns, not reflecting on the religion of yoga, but if it took away other primary education. I loved reading your blog! Nice work!
Tanya
Great additional post. I found this story just, well, crazy...
ReplyDeleteTanya - the article mentioned that these children were taking 2 yoga classes per week, as part of the districts PE program.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Embser-Herbert - I had a similar reaction. Fortunately, I was able to direct my energy toward a blog post :)