Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Have you ever wished your kids could see your side of an argument? Chairman Michael Farris talks about how formal debate can help, on this edition of Home School Heartbeat.

Mike:


All across America this year, homeschool teenagers will be debating this resolution. Resolve: "That the United States should significantly change its trade policy within one or both of the following areas: the Middle East and Africa."


Not too many 12 to 18 year olds are spending lots of time pondering that topic.


But homeschool debaters all over the country are already looking at U.S. trade policy from every possible angle. They're preparing to argue for and against a change in national trade policy. They're hoping their argument will give them a spot at the 2003 National Home School Forensics and Debate Tournament.


Many issues raised in debate are complex and have many possible solutions. Debaters have to learn both sides of an argument because both teams must spend half of their time arguing for the other side.


As a parent, I've often wanted my kids to be more adept at this skill. As students sift through these opposing views, they learn to judge an idea on its merits. They also have the opportunity to see possible weaknesses in their own theories.


Preparing our children to think through these complex issues, to use Christian principles to formulate a solution, and to look for holes in alternate arguments will make them valuable assets for society, no matter what arena God calls them to serve in the future. I'm Mike Farris.