Introduction
Starting from the time the No Child Left Behind was passed in 2001 the importance of social sciences has not been carefully considered as has been other studies such as mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics among other science studies and languages. The No Child Left Behind initiative had all its prominence on languages and mathematics thus making several states to reduce their needs for social studies in the curriculums of these states. This move has greatly reduced the emphasis that was laid on social sciences before thus leading to most stakeholders not appreciating the value of social sciences in our Education System. However with the guidance of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) several states have joined in the process that seeks to establish Common Core Standards that will strive to make social studies to be an integral form of any school’s curriculum together with other studies such as math, science and languages.
Importance of Social Studies
The study of social sciences is very important in our society today because this study is very important in helping us explain and understand our world today and everything that is going on around us. Just the same way science studies educates the children to be keen on the physical aspects of life, social studies inspires its students to concentrate on the numerous places people hail from on this world. Social sciences do not only educate us on the physical geography, but it enables students to acquire knowledge regarding different issues and places and explanations to several natural happenings all over the world. Social sciences are also important in the sense that it enables the students to learn about the various differences culturally of the world’s different inhabitants by studying sociology and anthropology. With students learning on the cultural differences among different people they are able to come to the realization that most of these cultures exhibit a level of similarity in one way or another.
A Sense of History
The study of social studies is very important for students to try to find out the roles that are required of them in community and their contribution towards history. When these students study about the past it empowers them to understand how modernization has led to the change in institutions, traditions and ideals of the society over time. It enables them to learn in what way the cause and effect inspires relationships existing among people, groups and countries. With these students maturing over a period of time, the learning of history offers them the opportunity to develop and enhance their research expertise and improve on how to think critically and creatively. A sense of history offers students a better background knowledge and understanding as they learn different subjects like literature and many others.
Citizenship
Making a Living
It has been observed that economic themes are often encountered in the curriculum of most social studies in a many ways. Ranging from the study of want and its relation to a need that is imparted in primary schools to cutting-edge concepts like global policy on economics deliberated in a high school class of current events, economics is an important section of social studies. Since students are able to study on the factors of production that includes labor, land, capital and entrepreneurship, it enables them to come to the realization of how these studies help in determining the type of goods and services present for the consumers. Social sciences enables students to learn trends in economics as they learn history to better their understanding of current events like recessions that has been witnessed in this country lately. Personally the study of economics educates students the necessities of managing their personal finances and assists them develop their career goals that are in line with their characters.
Conclusion
Works Cited
Denise Brown, Demand Media “The Importance of Social Studies Education” Available at http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/importance-social-studies-education-5135.html (Accessed 14th December 2013)
Walter Parker (ed) Social Studies Today, Routledge, New York, NY, 2010.
