Character Matters: How to Help Our Children Develop Good Judgment, Integrity, and Other Essential Virtues

by Thomas Lickona

Award-winning psychologist and educator Thomas Lickona offers more than one hundred practical strategies that parents and schools have used to help kids build strong personal character as the foundation for a purposeful, productive, and fulfilling life.

Succeeding in life takes character, and Lickona shows how irresponsible and destructive behavior can invariably be traced to the absence of good character and its ten essential wisdom, justice, fortitude, self-control, love, a positive attitude, hard work, integrity, gratitude, and humility.

The culmination of a lifetime’s work in character education from one the preeminent psychologists of our time, this landmark book gives us the tools we need to raise respectful and responsible children, create safe and effective schools, and build the caring and decent society in which we all want to live.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book as Thomas Lickona's name had come up in a number of other books I had read on character education. The book was quite a disappointment, however.

The structure of the book is a set of loosely connected parts dealing with developing character in families, schools, classrooms and communities. Chapters within each part deal with more specific aspects of character education, such as 'Practice Character-Based Disipline' within the classroom section. Each chapter then consists of a set of strategies, totally more than 100 in all across the book.

So, what makes it a disappointment? Firstly the subtitle suggests that the book is about developing essential virtues, such as integrity. The majority of the strategies make no specific connection to virtues or how the strategy might develop a particular virtue.

Secondly, listing 100 strategies in a book necessarily means that each strategy only has a limited amount of space. While a small number of the strategies are explained with sufficient detail for a reader to take and run with them, most are not.

Thirdly, the book has an undercurrent of religiosity, which at times becomes a bias. There is, for example, a whole chapter devoted to talking to kids about 'sex, love and character', and this chapter has a judgemental, religious tone pervading it. For example, homosexuality is listed under 'tough issues'. It suggests that it is perfectly OK to not approve of homosexuality and to 'stress the distinction between having an attraction to the same sex and acting on it". It claims that while some young people are unsure of their sexual orientation, by adulthood "only about 2% of the population self-identify as homosexual". Statistics from two years before the publication of this book suggest that figure was already over 7% and rising. Quite apart from this blatant selection of outdated (the reference is a book published in 1994) statistics amenable to the author's religious viewpoint, the underlying suggestion is that homosexuality is just a phase we can help kids through. This is a dangerous and potentially very damaging insinuation, which will not help any child develop good character. Masturbation receives a similar judgmental treatment.

Finally, while the book does have a few gems of insight, overall it is unclear who the audience is and what the purpose is. There are bits relevant to teachers, to parents, to politicians and community leaders, but such a diverse audience, combined with the decision to include numerous strategies with limited explanation ( sometimes as little as a single paragraph), means the book really does not have enough substance for any individual reader

[Nikki F Baartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a PD class I was taking for units as a teacher. I was dreading reading another “school” book. I figured it was just another summation of what I already knew. But, as I began to read it, it really was very helpful and informative.

This book provided needed reminders and new insight into why character matters. I particularly liked and found helpful the chapter on manners; simple manners. Dr. Lickona describes manners as “minor morals.” When manners are practiced they help society as a whole become a less coarse, more pleasant, kinder human experience. I sadly kept thinking how manners, just being nice, is far down on the must list; being replaced by financial gain, professional success, position and power. Call me old school but please and thank you still gets you far in life.

The author provides very practical and doable strategies for schools regarding implementing a character based curriculum that teaches values and virtues right along side academics. This was a valuable read.

[Bung Giantomi Muhammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Awan Jadoel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rekomendasi

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels like a long time ago that this was written, but still very practical things to think about.

[Erica Kruk]

read for a class

[Sue]

I actually pretty surprised that a university suggested that I read this book. It was written in 2004, but actually even seems outdated for that time.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems as if the author has done SO MUCH research from other books and taken the most applicable pieces - it's wonderful. He refers to a lot of other books and experiences to help people learn how to implement teaching moral character in their schools. I skipped a lot of what didn't apply to our circumstances, as it was geared more toward school teachers in a public arena. I appreciated his suggestions though, especially the discussion on teaching manners and expectations and that it really is okay for parents to teach and correct a child who is using inappropriate tone or behavior toward a parent - not just making errors, but speaking rudely to an adult. I'd use it as a reference and am glad that I read it - but probably won't buy it. (I love the library!)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a class and really enjoyed it. The topic is interesting to me and what I appreciated the most is that while it referenced scientific studies, etc the material was presented in a way that made it easy for the non-scientist or psychologist to easily understand! I am looking forward to putting some of the ideas to use in my classroom this fall.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Out of all the reading I've done professionally lately, this is something that stuck with me personally and I will carry with me for the rest of my life. How can we raise children of character in the midst of a society that has largely eschewed these values?

[Leanna Aker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ton of practical ideas for including character education in both formal and informal ways. I tired a bit of the "laundry list" style writing in the book after several chapters, but I'm sure I will refer back to this from time to time to get some motivation. :-)

[Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took months for me to finish this book. Even so, I find this book is useful in order to develop people's character. I've tried one of the strategy on page 291 to my first graders, and they loved it. Let's see how it works then ;D

[Sancheza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been using books by Thomas Lickona for my English 313 research paper.

[Kammera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST read for teachers trying to instill values and positive character traits. so many useful ideas and web resources to use.

[Michelle H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for dealing with a tween! Oh those were they years! I survived...three to go...

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a book that every educator should read and reflect upon; this book would make a good summer read before a new school year. I kept a document open on my computer while reading this book, and it has sections of notes dedicated to what I want to talk to parents about and what I want to do a better job of integrating in my classroom. Although there were times while reading when I tired of the abundant lists of information and references to websites that cost money for access to materials, as well as the multiple references to abstinence education, I still recommend this book to other professionals who are looking to improve the culture of their schools. There are many great ideas for things to consider when implementing character education.