Challenges in Educating Today’s Children

8/12/2019 Challenges in Educating Todays Children

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Running head : The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 1

The Challenges in Educating Todays Children

Muhammad Amirul Asyraf Bin Ismail

0912229

Biochemical-Biotecnology Engineering

Department of Biotechnology

Kulliyyah of Engineering

International Islamic University Malaysia

English for Academic Writing

LE 4000 Section 42Tutor : Miss Siti Afifah Hashim

10 th May 2013


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The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 2

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the significant causes of immorality among todays

youth and to seek the solution due to this matter focusing on parents role. A total twenty five

respondents of Muslim parents near International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak locality

were involved in this study. This study was conducted by using quantitative method which is a

set of questionnaire consisted of 13 questions as instrument. The data was analyzed by

comparing the results with the previous journals data. In general,the participants agreed that

lacking in Islamic k nowledge was the main reason which causes parents failure in handling the

problems of youth immorality. At the end of the study, several suggestions or practices found

were in agreement with the respondents corresponding to the ways to reduce or prevent the youth

problems of immorality. Suggestions for further research were also been proposed for the future.


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The Challenges in Educating Todays Children

Introduction

The todays world is going more and more sophisticated lifestyle with a lot of

entertainment, education, sports and lots more . In this age of time, the world without

boundaries that connects people from all over the world in just at the tip of finger . The children

also learn so fast compare to the previous decades . But in this research article is focusing on

education in regards to todays children as they are a fast learner ,however, if it is not well

guide by their parents as the community it is afraid that they will not grow to be a real person .

In the context of Malaysian community, there is fact that a high rate of moral decadence among

youths . More worse matter is that most of the problems found involve young generations . For

instance, it is estimated that the number of drug addicts will reach one million persons and

majority of them are Muslims (Utusan Malaysia, 27/5/2004). Polis Department of Malaysia

reported that from 1997 to June 2001 the youth who are missing in action or run away are

14,613 persons (Berita Harian, 22/8/01). Meanwhile the rape cases involved 4,465 persons

(New Straits Times April 2002), and for juvenile delinquency, there are at least 5,500 cases were

recited every year (Utusan Malaysia, 10/10/01).

According to Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) in 1998, 6,160 youths and in 1999,

5,760 youths were indulged in crimes and juvenile delinquency (Utusan Malaysia, 9/10/02).In

definition, the word "educate" comes from the Latin educare, meaning "to lead out," "to bring

out." To educate means to bring out of the child, the student, that spirit of learning and

wonder, the desire to know, that thirsts for knowledge (Rosado,2000). In another


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involves three sectors: economy, technology, and culture. These sectors are interrelated and each

influences the other (Mohamed & Musa, 1999). The fast development in the infotech has changes the

way people communicate, business transaction and how people see this world(Mahathir

Mohamad,1992) and the most important thing is how to reform and transform the education system in

ensuring the todays and tommorrows nation can face this world with full of harmony.

The young generations tend to follow actions broadcasted on television which is why the

scenario of wearing tight jeans and shirts among girls nowadays, is very common. They are actually

following and imitating what other people in Western countries do. Furthermore, they do not hesitate

to put on sexy and indecent dress, which reveals their private parts of their bodies. There are also a

number of young Muslim generations who are involved in immoral activities, such as being effeminate,

gay, and lesbian. Most of the time, they are influenced by the Western culture through watching movies

that display the conformity of gay, lesbian, and homosexual lifestyle. This attribute is permitted in the

Western countries and is considered a norm.

In the west, people have the freedom to conduct and manage their lives and they are free to

choose whatever they want to do, so long as they do not hurt and disturb other people. This lifestyle is

often imitated blindly by the youth since they want freedom of life and try to make their own decisions

in whatever they do without considering their families. That is why there are many cases reported about

the increasing number of Muslim youths loafing at the shopping complexes, entertainment centers, and

fast food restaurants. Loafing, according to Yaqin (1997, p. 258) is considered earlier a lazy but harmless

way of relaxing, has acquired the dimensions of a social problem.It was explained in the Development

and Social Issue Selangor 2009 that in the age between 16 until 18 years old was a critical stage in

human life whereby transition state occurs from the world of childhood to the world of adulthood. At

this stage, a person starts to respond to the desire of emotion to find a suitable personal appearance.


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From this, it can be understand that youth become one of the factor involvem ent of students

in social or discipline problems. They might feel that they are already all grown up and can make their

own decision. This matter has caused the decision made is inaccurate. Actually they do not have enough

knowledge and lack of experience . Therefore, they need guidance and lesson from the adult. This was

meant in the research report of Azizah binti Lebai Nordin(2002) as factor of the student self itself .

On the other hand,It was mentioned by Atikah Ghazali and Fauziah Mohammad(1998:58), the

main cause of all of these problems was because of lacking in the knowledge of Islam and this results in

Muslim ummah itself has a weak faith. According to Dr. Hasan Hj. Ali (1996:79), research shows that

children that did not get religion guidance will become a problematic children not only problems to

theirselves but also to their parents, society and nation . In another statement by Hasan Hj. Ali (1996:

79), parents should be prepared to educate their children and decide to make them understand all the

rules and regulations in Syariah(Islamic law), to know how to put things in its correct position and to

educate them according to the true education and teaching method.

According to the opinion of Aishah Hassan (1988:86) , education plays role in inculcating the basis of

tauheed, structuring good moral value, pure soul and the etiquettes that is claimed in syara . There are

two factors that interrelated to each other in the efforts of educating children about the true faith,

good moral value and pure soul. The factors are :

I. Comprehensive Islamic education

II. Biah Salihah(healthy or good environment)

Last but not least, Zahazan Mohamed(2006:28-29),Quran commanded the parent to educate their

children with love and use a loving or caring ways of talking . It is a need for parents to put in their

talking with good advice or remembrance, high hopes, scare them with punishment, praising and others.


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It also one of the saying of Allah SWT : meaning : And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits

the believer (Surah Adz Dzariyaat 51:55).

Methodology

Participants

25 persons from around IIUM Gombak locality were chosen as respondents. The

respondents were selected via convenience sampling as they were easily accessible.

Materials

Survey was used to collect the data. The survey was descriptive and was based on

frequency. The Survey was a good way to collect and process data because the questionnaires

were easy to compile and analyze as it was based on quantitative research method.

Procedures

A set of questionnaire was given to respondents. These respondents were parents with

children of the age twelve to twenty five years old. The survey questions were replicated from

previous study of the same nature and conformed to the researchers researc h questions and


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Discussion

The aims of this research were to find out the challenges in educating children and

solution to the matter regarding immoral behavior of youth in todayss life. In this survey, the

number of gender among parents were not equal because it was randomly given to the parents

regardless of the gender . The participants ages mostly above 50 years old which mean most of

them had experience of the changing styles of educating children at starts from 1960 till present.

For the significant question which questioned the ch allenges of educating children in todays

world, all of them agree that influence of media effects the decadence of morality among youth

present generation . This were supported by Mohamed & Musa (1999) which informed that

mainly, the effects of globalization changes three main sectors : economy, technology and

culture . Harun & Hasan(2005) mentioned that the cultures globalization can be disseminated

delicately with the help from the technological communication and mass media. Through

television, people learn about other cultures which was good in some ways .However, they also

stated that it leaves a negative result on the society, particularly on the youth who are still

searching for their own identity .

Both questions four and five are interrelated to each other regarding educating children in

practicing good manner and parent as a role model in practicing this value . Majority of the

parents with more than 60 percents instill this value among their children and as a role model byimplementing it within theirselves . This finding was supported by Ibn Khaldun(2002) who

explained that a good environment is needed to develop a good behavior and this good value

must raise from a person itself referring to the his/her analytical thinking to the surrounding


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factors which influences a man way of life. Besides that, it was also agreed by Hassan(1987)

who suggested that environment able to give an impact to the understanding of value in ones

morality behavior .

One question regarding advising children on how to choose a friend was asked in the

questionnaire was meant to value the level of parents role in educating their children . The

question also indirectly wanted to found out whether parents advice their children if they are

deviated from the right path . It was found that only twenty eight percent consistently advice

their children, mostly about more than fifty percent sometimes advising their children and

minority of that did not advice their children. This finding was found not to be consistent with a

survey by Ali & Zakaria(2009) who found that all of the parents will advice their children if

they do wrong behaviours.According to Zahazan Mohamed((2006:28-29), Quran commanded

parents to educate their children with love and using speeches that shows love. Later on he

mentioned, it is a must to add with it advices, give them high hopes, scares them with

punishments and others. It was mentioned by Allah SWT , meaning : And continue to remind,

for surely the reminder profits the believers (Surah Adz-Dzariyat : 55).

Most of the parents agreed that lacking of knowledge in Islam was the main reason for

the decadence of morality among todays youth. This finding was almost the same with the

opinion of Ghazali & Mohammad (1998:58), the main problems of the probems among youth

nowadays are due to the lacking of knowledge of Islam which causes this nation to have weak

faith in religion. According to Dr. Hassan Hj. Ali(1996:79), research shown that children who

does not get the guidance of religion will become a problem not only to theirselves but also to

parents, society and country.


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Last but not least, all of the parents agreed that they have a way on solving the matter of

immoral in regards to their children . It is very important for parents to educate their children

inside their homes as to established a good surrounding for their children to grow in becoming

the stars for the future generation, According to the opinion of Aishah Hassan (1988:86) ,

education plays role in inculcating the basis of tauheed, structuring good moral value, pure soul

and the etiquettes that is claimed in syara . There are two factors that interrelated to each other

in the efforts of educating children about the true faith, good moral value and pure soul. The

factors are :

I. Comprehensive Islamic education

II. Biah Salihah(healthy or good environment)

In conclusion, it is really important for parents to get involve critically in educating their

children because the education provided by the parents decides what will the children be in the

future. Most of the parents or future parents know most of the ways on how educate the children

but how far it is implemented in ones family life. It is suggested that further research need to be

done to cure or prevent the problem from becoming worse for future .


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References

al-Attas, S. M. (1980). The Concept of Education in Islam. First World Conference on Muslim Education ,1-19.

Sipon, S. (1999). Parent Roles in Managing Youth Social Problem. Psychological Role in Current

Malaysia's Community , 65-73.

Zakaria, A. R., & Salleh, N. M. (2011). Family Context and Its Relationship with Parental Involvement in

Their Children's Education in Secondary Schools. Malaysia Education Journal , 35-44.

Harun, H., & Hasan, Z. (2005). The Challenges of Globalization to Muslim Youths. 6.

Ali, M., & Zakaria, Z. (2009). Preparation of Parents in Spiritual(Islamic) Education Towards Children : A

Research in Taman Batu Permai, Kuala Lumpur . 1-8


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Appendices

Survey: Participants are required to complete all the questions below.

Question 1: What is your gender? (Figure 1)

Male : 14 students(56%).

Female : 11 students(44%).

1 - Description : The questionnaires were distributed randomly which resulted in

differences in population between males and females.

Question 2: What is your age? (Figure 2)

35-39 years old : 2 persons(8%)



50 and above : 12 persons(48%)

2 - Description :

To identify the level of experience in educating children .

The age of 50 and above was the highest among the categories of the age stated

above .


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Yes : 18 persons(72%).

No : 7 persons(28%).

5 - Description :

Above seventy percents of the participants behave in good manner in front of their

children .

Question 6 : Did you spent a lot of free time with your children? (Figure 6)

Yes : 17 persons(68%)

No : 8 persons(32%)

6 - Description :

Almost seventy percents of the participant spent a lot of free time with their children .

Question 6A : If not, did you spent a quality time with them? (Figure 6A)

Yes : 2 persons(8%)

No : 6 persons(24%)

6A - Description :

Out of the minority which did not spent a lot of time with their children, only eight

percents that provide quality time to their children .


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Question 7: Did your children refer or share with you their problem when facing any difficulties?

(Figure 7)



7 - Description :

More than fifty percents mentioned that their children did not refer to the parents when

facing any problems .

Question 8: Do you know how is your childrens friend is ? (Figure 8)

Yes : 16 students(64%).

No : 9 students(36%).

8 - Description :

Above sixty percents knew their childrens friend.

Question 9: Do you advice your children on how to choose a friend? (Figure 9)

Yes, : 7 persons(28%).

Somehow,yes : 14 persons(56%).



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More than seventy percents of the participants agreed that lacking of Islamic knowledge

were the root of the decadence of morality among youth .

Question 11A : If the answer is no tick the answer below OR give your own suggestion OR both

: (Figure 11A)

Lack of parenting knowledge (LPK) : 6 persons (34%)

Poverty : 0 person (0%)

11A - Description :

The remaining thirty four percents of the participants agreed that lacking of parenting

knowledge was the other reason of the youth morals decadence .

12)Are your aware of changes in your children attitude (towards negative behaviour)? (Figure

12)




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12 - Description :

About seventy percents of the participants did not aware of their children changes in

attiutudes .

13) Do you have any ways on preventing or curing the problems of your children?

(Figure 13)

Yes : 25 persons (100%).

No : 0 person(0%).

13 - Description :

All of the parents involved have ways to overcome their children problems .

13A) Ways on preventing/curing childrens immorality problems (multiple answers):

(Figure 13A)

Being strict in suitable/proper condition : 19 persons(76%)

Recitation of Quran and Hadith among family members : 18 persons(72)

Being a good listener to the children : 16 persons(64%)

Always in state of giving reminder/advice : 15 persons(60%)

Punishments in regards of wrong doing : 15 persons(60%)

Inculcate self discipline among family members : 14 persons(56%)


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Instilling adab in daily life among family members : 17 persons(68%)

13A - Description :

Above fifty percents of the participants practices ways provided in the above question .

Figures

Figure 1

14

11

02

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

MALE FEMALE


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Figure 2

Figure 3

0 0

2

5

6

12

BELOW 30

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50 ABOVE

25

16

18

19

IM

IES

IPF

TME


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Figure 4

Figure 5

19

6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

YES NO

18

7

YES

NO


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Figure 6

Figure 6A

17

8

Yes

No

2

6

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Yes No


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Figure 7

Figure 8

11

14

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

YES NO

16

9

YES

NO


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Figure 9

Figure 10

7

14

4

YES

SOMEHOW,YES

NO

15

7

3

YES

SOMEHOW,YES

NO


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Figure 12

Figure 13

0

2

4

6

810

12

14

16

18

YES NO

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

YES NO


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Figure 13A

19

18

1615

15

14

17

STRICT

TA'LIM

GOOD LISTENER

ALWAYSADVICE/REMINDER

PUNISHMENTS

SELF DISCIPLINE

ADAB PRACTICE

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Challenges in Educating Today’s Children