Volume 4 Issue 3 (October 2012) - Ozean Publications

European Journal of Educational Studies 4(3), 2012
individuals who have democratic values. In this study, students stated that children might acquire the above
mentioned qualities and attributes if they are taught democracy. From this point of view, teaching democracy to
children is both an obligation for democracy education and a social and universal responsibility.
In the present study, four students expressed the view that democracy should be taught to unfair people and
thieves, because unfairness, theft and irresponsible behaviors will disappear when such people learn democracy.
Students emphasized the values of democracy while stating that citizenship consciousness will be provided and
responsible citizens will be raised by teaching democracy to these groups. Gunduz and Gunduz (2002) also states
that democracy can live and can be understood when citizens learn democracy, and democratic values can also
be strengthened.
Some striking findings about democracy and the groups which should be taught democracy were obtained in this
study. Students stated that democracy is a way of life rather than simply a regime. Even though different groups
were determined to be taught democracy, as a result of a general assessment, it was concluded that the whole of
society, all of the people even, should be taught democracy. The willingness to be taught democracy, their
competences for, and why the groups, as determined by the students, should be taught democracy can be
researched in a more detailed way. Considering the purpose and scope of democracy education, this study can
provide important clues for an instructional approach which could be presented to target groups within the scope
of democracy education. Moreover, the results of this study may serve as an important source for school
managers and teachers on democratic practices and attitudes.
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