I wonder when education in this starts to be seen in elementary schools? Some secondary schools have started such I believe. But is 12 too late?
In my case, it wasn't. But then again there wasn't such widespread use of the internet back then. Still, critical thinking was just not a subject that was even mentioned as far as I remember.
I don't know if 12 is too late, as one would have to have some baggage in order to think critically? For starters, I think people would have to be acutely aware of how easy it is to not think critically for them to begin making an effort in the opposite direction. Most children younger than 12 seem to accept without question explanations that are given to them by adults they see as authorities, a behaviour that continues when many reach adulthood.
Yes, most younger kids do seem to just accept the authority of adults but my experience is that those kids who have parental decisions explained, or, better, those who have been encouraged to reason out the validity of those decisions for themselves, do better in later life. But there are too few parents who can combine discipline and justification in a way young kids can understand..
But the good parent helps their children decide who to trust, not that all those teachers, preachers, scout masters, coaches etc are 100% trustworthy. But hopefully it is a very small percentage who are not. Then teach the kids to approach a proven safe person if they are unhappy or unsure.
But, then there is the temporary insanity some suffer in their puberty and adolescence... A time that can possibly affect parents as well. I wondered way a friend, single mother aged 40 something, got a little more rejective to wwrds her son as he went through puberty. I did wonder if it was the same evilutionary effect that causes some wild female mammals to throw out their maturing sons - a pheromone thing to prevent incest.
But pushing the limits, attempting to exert personal authority,, wanting to experiment socially etc all add to the possible conflicts.
