by William Kilpatrick
America today suffers from unprecedented rates of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide, and violence. Kilpatrick shows how we can correct this problem by providing our youngsters with the stories, models, and inspiration in order to lead good lives. An analysis of why American schools fail to provide a moral education argues that the new decision-making-based educational theory, which poses ethical dilemmas and allows students to work out problems by themselves, fails to teach values. For parents, educators, and policymakers, Kilpatrick's hard-hitting and controversial book will not only open eyes but change minds. He maintains that by stressing "feelings" rather than good behavior, schools and parents have failed to instill moral values in our youth. Reviews: "A very important and valuable book, indeed; and a practical one, full of wonderfully helpful suggestions and recommendations that will enable both parents and teachers to engage young people in moral reflection:" - Robert Coles, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Humanities, Harvard University, and author of The Moral Life of Children A hard-hitting and controversial book, Why Johnny Can't Tell Right From Wrong will not only open eyes but change minds. America today suffers from unprecedented rates of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide, and violence. Most of the programs intended to deal with these problems have failed because, according to William Kilpatrick, schools and parents have abandoned the moral teaching they once provided. In Why Johnny Can't Tell Right From Wrong, Kilpatrick shows how we can correct this problem by providing our youngsters with the stories, models, and inspiration they need in order to lead good lives. He also encourages parents to read to their children and provides an annotated guide to more than 120 books for children and young adults. I hope that this profound and important book will be taken to heart by parents and teachers." - E. D. Hirsch, Jr., author of Cultural Literacy "You must read this book - an incisive exposé of values clarification, critical-thinking curricula, and morality-neutered sex and drug education." - Don Feder, Boston Herald "Taps into something deep and powerful
in human nature . . . Kilpatrick suggests that the quest for moral direction
in a benighted world begins with the opening of a book:"
WILLIAM KILPATRICK is Professor of Education at Boston College. He is the author of three books of cultural criticism and is a frequent lecturer to university and parent audiences. He is a past recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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