Students of Modern Times

Kathy Mankowski
Brown Books Publishing (2006)
ISBN 1933285524
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06)

“Students of Modern Times:  Society’s Effect on Our Moral Decay” is an excellent book about how society is contributing to the decline in the quality of our educational system.  It is also a very tough book to read because the truth hurts.  We are surrounded by signs that our educational system is failing our students.  As a two-year college instructor for students with disabilities, I see this first hand.  High school graduates are coming to college to learn how to read and how to do basic math skills.  What happened to them along the way during their K-12 education?

In addition to the lack of elementary educational skills, students also seem overly burdened with a lack of self confidence, lack of direction or goals, and lack of desire to do the work that needs to be done to complete their education.  Two year colleges become four or five year colleges for many.

The author, Kathy Mankowski, who has had plenty of experience as a teacher and as the mother of six children, addresses the issues that she believes are causing these problems.  She also offers solutions to help stop this trend.  She begins by addressing what is happening in society in general that is contributing to the problem.  Lack of ethics and integrity play a huge role in how students are being affected.   She also feels that society is failing to instill a sense of high worth into our children.  She states that this “occurs through neglect and inattention paid to them especially during their school years.”  She further states that if the children are not being praised then they are, “…having to look elsewhere to find gratification.  Praise and attention are key ingredients in supplying what all people in general need.”

The media also plays a huge role.  Ads directed at youth promote free sex, infidelity, immorality, and substance abuse to name but a few.  Divorce among parents also greatly affects children.  They learn, “…relationships are breakable and love doesn’t last.”  In general, the media encourages society to engage in behavior that undermines family values.

Reasonable and rational suggestions are offered to stop this trend.  Mankowski makes a very strong point that really hit home with me when she wrote, “The deprived and/or wandering child is equal in importance with those better endowed, and each will make as large or an even larger mark on society, be it good or bad.”  If we don’t make some changes, the marks on society will continue to be very bad.

I highly recommend this book to both parents and educators.  It is well written, easy to follow and Mankowski has a reference source listed that tells me her work is valid and well researched.  Her ideas will give you hope that things can be done to improve our educational system.  What I learned in this book will have a great influence on who I vote for.  I want to see politicians in office that are promoting education and family values and really mean it.

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