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Wants & Needs

2/6/2011

As mentioned previously, my educational philosophy draws heavily on the writings of Josiah Bunting III, former Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, President of Hampden-Sydney College and Briarcliff College, and Headmaster of Lawrenceville School.

Bunting reminds us that, our youth (many of them) emanate from a culture that mistrusts reason.  They are simply driven to parties, malls, and socials of every kind where the "I wants" are immediately gratified.  Bunting opts for an ethos of responsibility rather than privilege, duty rather than impulse, and need rather than want.

I sense that many of our youth have no concept of "want," and the fulfillment of their wants is frequently satisfied without any unusual effort on their behalf.  Moreover, when they are required to achieve some goal, it often takes a bribe to satisfy a want rather than to do or achieve because it is the right thing to do.  Admittedly, we have been guilty of the above in our own family.

Josiah Bunting would counsel that, we, as parents and educators, should furnish and decorate their minds with goals for the good of others and not themselves because there are so many who also have wants but little hope of ever having them realized.

james benson