Running head : The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 1

The Challenges in Educating Todays Children

Muhammad Amirul Asyraf Bin Ismail
0912229
Biochemical-Biotecnology Engineering
Department of Biotechnology
Kulliyyah of Engineering
International Islamic University Malaysia


English for Academic Writing
LE 4000 Section 42
Tutor : Miss Siti Afifah Hashim



10
th
May 2013




The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 2



Abstract
This study was carried out to identify the significant causes of immorality among todays
youth and to seek the solution due to this matter focusing on parents role. A total twenty five
respondents of Muslim parents near International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak locality
were involved in this study. This study was conducted by using quantitative method which is a
set of questionnaire consisted of 13 questions as instrument. The data was analyzed by
comparing the results with the previous journals data. In general,the participants agreed that
lacking in Islamic knowledge was the main reason which causes parents failure in handling the
problems of youth immorality. At the end of the study, several suggestions or practices found
were in agreement with the respondents corresponding to the ways to reduce or prevent the youth
problems of immorality. Suggestions for further research were also been proposed for the future.










The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 3


The Challenges in Educating Todays Children
Introduction
The todays world is going more and more sophisticated lifestyle with a lot of
entertainment, education, sports and lots more . In this age of time, the world without
boundaries that connects people from all over the world in just at the tip of finger . The children
also learn so fast compare to the previous decades . But in this research article is focusing on
education in regards to todays children as they are a fast learner ,however, if it is not well
guide by their parents as the community it is afraid that they will not grow to be a real person .
In the context of Malaysian community, there is fact that a high rate of moral decadence among
youths . More worse matter is that most of the problems found involve young generations . For
instance, it is estimated that the number of drug addicts will reach one million persons and
majority of them are Muslims (Utusan Malaysia, 27/5/2004). Polis Department of Malaysia
reported that from 1997 to June 2001 the youth who are missing in action or run away are
14,613 persons (Berita Harian, 22/8/01). Meanwhile the rape cases involved 4,465 persons
(New Straits Times April 2002), and for juvenile delinquency, there are at least 5,500 cases were
recited every year (Utusan Malaysia, 10/10/01).
According to Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) in 1998, 6,160 youths and in 1999,
5,760 youths were indulged in crimes and juvenile delinquency (Utusan Malaysia, 9/10/02).In
definition, the word "educate" comes from the Latin educare, meaning "to lead out," "to bring
out." To educate means to bring out of the child, the student, that spirit of learning and
wonder, the desire to know, that thirsts for knowledge (Rosado,2000). In another
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 4


definition,according to a Muslim Scholar, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas , he mentioned it as
a process of instilling something into human beings. The method and the system is referring to
the answer a process of instilling by which what is called education is gradually imparted;
something refers to the content of what is instilled; and human beings refers to the
recipient of both the process and the content. Later he redefined the answer: Education is
something progressively instilled into man Al-Attas (1980,p. 1).
From this answer, it can be seen that education is an essential needs for human being.
Furthermore, it is a must action need to be applied to build a strong generation which comprise
of good moral values and integrity in conducting matters . Parents role are very important in
educating the children . On this research , two objectives will be focusing on which are:
1)What are the causes of immorality among todays youth?
2)What are the solution due to this matter focusing on parents role?


Literature Review
In this 21
st
century, whether people realize it or not, they are flown by a drastic changes that is
so fast which never occurs before . Globalization wave that hit human being in todays world has
changed almost all way of life whether in the aspects of politic, economy, social or even culture until the
world that was so huge has became a tiny village which was called global village dan results in us to
become one large society of this world (Perkins,1992). The domination of the globalization process
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 5


involves three sectors: economy, technology, and culture. These sectors are interrelated and each
influences the other (Mohamed & Musa, 1999). The fast development in the infotech has changes the
way people communicate, business transaction and how people see this world(Mahathir
Mohamad,1992) and the most important thing is how to reform and transform the education system in
ensuring the todays and tommorrows nation can face this world with full of harmony.
The young generations tend to follow actions broadcasted on television which is why the
scenario of wearing tight jeans and shirts among girls nowadays, is very common. They are actually
following and imitating what other people in Western countries do. Furthermore, they do not hesitate
to put on sexy and indecent dress, which reveals their private parts of their bodies. There are also a
number of young Muslim generations who are involved in immoral activities, such as being effeminate,
gay, and lesbian. Most of the time, they are influenced by the Western culture through watching movies
that display the conformity of gay, lesbian, and homosexual lifestyle. This attribute is permitted in the
Western countries and is considered a norm.
In the west, people have the freedom to conduct and manage their lives and they are free to
choose whatever they want to do, so long as they do not hurt and disturb other people. This lifestyle is
often imitated blindly by the youth since they want freedom of life and try to make their own decisions
in whatever they do without considering their families. That is why there are many cases reported about
the increasing number of Muslim youths loafing at the shopping complexes, entertainment centers, and
fast food restaurants. Loafing, according to Yaqin (1997, p. 258) is considered earlier a lazy but harmless
way of relaxing, has acquired the dimensions of a social problem.It was explained in the Development
and Social Issue Selangor 2009 that in the age between 16 until 18 years old was a critical stage in
human life whereby transition state occurs from the world of childhood to the world of adulthood. At
this stage, a person starts to respond to the desire of emotion to find a suitable personal appearance.
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 6


From this, it can be understand that youth become one of the factor involvement of students
in social or discipline problems. They might feel that they are already all grown up and can make their
own decision. This matter has caused the decision made is inaccurate. Actually they do not have enough
knowledge and lack of experience . Therefore, they need guidance and lesson from the adult. This was
meant in the research report of Azizah binti Lebai Nordin(2002) as factor of the student self itself .
On the other hand,It was mentioned by Atikah Ghazali and Fauziah Mohammad(1998:58), the
main cause of all of these problems was because of lacking in the knowledge of Islam and this results in
Muslim ummah itself has a weak faith. According to Dr. Hasan Hj. Ali (1996:79), research shows that
children that did not get religion guidance will become a problematic children not only problems to
theirselves but also to their parents, society and nation . In another statement by Hasan Hj. Ali (1996:
79), parents should be prepared to educate their children and decide to make them understand all the
rules and regulations in Syariah(Islamic law), to know how to put things in its correct position and to
educate them according to the true education and teaching method.
According to the opinion of Aishah Hassan (1988:86) , education plays role in inculcating the basis of
tauheed, structuring good moral value, pure soul and the etiquettes that is claimed in syara . There are
two factors that interrelated to each other in the efforts of educating children about the true faith,
good moral value and pure soul. The factors are :
I. Comprehensive Islamic education
II. Biah Salihah(healthy or good environment)
Last but not least, Zahazan Mohamed(2006:28-29),Quran commanded the parent to educate their
children with love and use a loving or caring ways of talking . It is a need for parents to put in their
talking with good advice or remembrance, high hopes, scare them with punishment, praising and others.
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 7


It also one of the saying of Allah SWT : meaning : And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits
the believer (Surah Adz Dzariyaat 51:55).

Methodology

Participants
25 persons from around IIUM Gombak locality were chosen as respondents. The
respondents were selected via convenience sampling as they were easily accessible.


Materials
Survey was used to collect the data. The survey was descriptive and was based on
frequency. The Survey was a good way to collect and process data because the questionnaires
were easy to compile and analyze as it was based on quantitative research method.


Procedures
A set of questionnaire was given to respondents. These respondents were parents with
children of the age twelve to twenty five years old. The survey questions were replicated from
previous study of the same nature and conformed to the researchers research questions and
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 8


objectives. The researcher distributed the survey to the parents because it was convenient. They
were given five minutes to answer the survey.


Results
In figure 1, the questionnaires were distributed randomly which resulted in inequality
differences in population between males and females. From figure 2, the purpose of the related
question stated was to identify the level of experience among parents in educating children . It
can be seen from this figure that the age of 50 and above was the highest among the categories of
the ages.
Later on, from figure 3, all of the participants involved agreed that influence of media
(IM ) was the main challenges in educating todays children followed by immoral environmental
surrounding (IES),influence of peer friend ( IPF) and too many entertainment (TME) with the
percentage of sixty percents .
It was found that more than seventy percents of the participants instilled good manner
practice in their children (figure 4). Almost similar percentage with regards to figure 4, the
parents behave in good manner in front of their children(figure 5).
Figure 6 shows that almost seventy percents of the participant spent a lot of free time
with their children . In question 6A, out of the minority which did not spent much time with their
chidren, only eight percents that provide quality time with their children which left balance of
twenty four percents which did not spent quality time with their children .
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 9


From the seventh question, it was found that more than fifty percents agreed that their
children did not refer to them when facing any problems. Apart from that, in figure 8, it can be
found above sixty percents knew their children friends. In question number 9, majority of the
parents participated sometimes advice their children, followed by thirty percents consistently
advice their children and only a quarter of total percentages did not advice their children on how
to choose a friend.
Question ten resulted on sixty percents of the participants inculcate Islamic teaching in their
family life, followed by about thirty percents and less than five percents respectively somehow
and did not inculcate Islamic teaching in their family life.
Both questions 11 and 11A are interrelated which shows that more than seventy percents of
the participants agreed that lacking of Islamic knowledge were the main source of morality
decadence among youth . The remaining thirty percents of the participants had the same opinion
that lacking of parenting knowledge was one the main factors that contribute to the problems of
youth .
It was found that about seventy percents of the participants did not aware of their children
changes in attitudes towards negative behavior (figure 12). The last questions 13 and 13A which
were also interrelated questions found that all of the parents have ways to overcome their
children problems. Last but not least, above fifty percents of the participants agreed on ways or
solutions on how to prevent or minimize the youth problems of immorality (appendices -
question 13A).

The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 10


Discussion

The aims of this research were to find out the challenges in educating children and
solution to the matter regarding immoral behavior of youth in todayss life. In this survey, the
number of gender among parents were not equal because it was randomly given to the parents
regardless of the gender . The participants ages mostly above 50 years old which mean most of
them had experience of the changing styles of educating children at starts from 1960 till present.
For the significant question which questioned the challenges of educating children in todays
world, all of them agree that influence of media effects the decadence of morality among youth
present generation . This were supported by Mohamed & Musa (1999) which informed that
mainly, the effects of globalization changes three main sectors : economy, technology and
culture . Harun & Hasan(2005) mentioned that the cultures globalization can be disseminated
delicately with the help from the technological communication and mass media. Through
television, people learn about other cultures which was good in some ways .However, they also
stated that it leaves a negative result on the society, particularly on the youth who are still
searching for their own identity .
Both questions four and five are interrelated to each other regarding educating children in
practicing good manner and parent as a role model in practicing this value . Majority of the
parents with more than 60 percents instill this value among their children and as a role model by
implementing it within theirselves . This finding was supported by Ibn Khaldun(2002) who
explained that a good environment is needed to develop a good behavior and this good value
must raise from a person itself referring to the his/her analytical thinking to the surrounding
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 11


factors which influences a man way of life. Besides that, it was also agreed by Hassan(1987)
who suggested that environment able to give an impact to the understanding of value in ones
morality behavior .
One question regarding advising children on how to choose a friend was asked in the
questionnaire was meant to value the level of parents role in educating their children . The
question also indirectly wanted to found out whether parents advice their children if they are
deviated from the right path . It was found that only twenty eight percent consistently advice
their children, mostly about more than fifty percent sometimes advising their children and
minority of that did not advice their children. This finding was found not to be consistent with a
survey by Ali & Zakaria(2009) who found that all of the parents will advice their children if
they do wrong behaviours.According to Zahazan Mohamed((2006:28-29), Quran commanded
parents to educate their children with love and using speeches that shows love. Later on he
mentioned, it is a must to add with it advices, give them high hopes, scares them with
punishments and others. It was mentioned by Allah SWT , meaning : And continue to remind,
for surely the reminder profits the believers (Surah Adz-Dzariyat : 55).
Most of the parents agreed that lacking of knowledge in Islam was the main reason for
the decadence of morality among todays youth. This finding was almost the same with the
opinion of Ghazali & Mohammad (1998:58), the main problems of the probems among youth
nowadays are due to the lacking of knowledge of Islam which causes this nation to have weak
faith in religion. According to Dr. Hassan Hj. Ali(1996:79), research shown that children who
does not get the guidance of religion will become a problem not only to theirselves but also to
parents, society and country.
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 12


Last but not least, all of the parents agreed that they have a way on solving the matter of
immoral in regards to their children . It is very important for parents to educate their children
inside their homes as to established a good surrounding for their children to grow in becoming
the stars for the future generation, According to the opinion of Aishah Hassan (1988:86) ,
education plays role in inculcating the basis of tauheed, structuring good moral value, pure soul
and the etiquettes that is claimed in syara . There are two factors that interrelated to each other
in the efforts of educating children about the true faith, good moral value and pure soul. The
factors are :
I. Comprehensive Islamic education
II. Biah Salihah(healthy or good environment)
In conclusion, it is really important for parents to get involve critically in educating their
children because the education provided by the parents decides what will the children be in the
future. Most of the parents or future parents know most of the ways on how educate the children
but how far it is implemented in ones family life. It is suggested that further research need to be
done to cure or prevent the problem from becoming worse for future .






The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 13



References

al-Attas, S. M. (1980). The Concept of Education in Islam. First World Conference on Muslim Education ,
1-19.
Sipon, S. (1999). Parent Roles in Managing Youth Social Problem. Psychological Role in Current
Malaysia's Community , 65-73.
Zakaria, A. R., & Salleh, N. M. (2011). Family Context and Its Relationship with Parental Involvement in
Their Children's Education in Secondary Schools. Malaysia Education Journal , 35-44.
Harun, H., & Hasan, Z. (2005). The Challenges of Globalization to Muslim Youths. 6.
Ali, M., & Zakaria, Z. (2009). Preparation of Parents in Spiritual(Islamic) Education Towards Children : A
Research in Taman Batu Permai, Kuala Lumpur . 1-8










The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 14



Appendices
Survey: Participants are required to complete all the questions below.

Question 1: What is your gender? (Figure 1)
Male : 14 students(56%).
Female : 11 students(44%).
1 - Description : The questionnaires were distributed randomly which resulted in
differences in population between males and females.
Question 2: What is your age? (Figure 2)
35-39 years old : 2 persons(8%)
40-44 years old : 5 persons(20%)
45-49 years old : 6 persons(24%)
50 and above : 12 persons(48%)
2 - Description :
To identify the level of experience in educating children .
The age of 50 and above was the highest among the categories of the age stated
above .
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 15



Question 3: What do you think the challenges in educating children nowadays(multiple answer)?
(Figure 3)
Influence of media(IM) : 25 persons(100%) .
Immoral exposure of surrounding(IES) : 16 persons(64%) .
Influence of peer friends(IPF) : 18 persons(72%).
Too many entertainment (TME): 19 persons(76%).
3 - Description :
All of the participants agreed that IM was the main challenges in educating todays
children.
Sixty percents population of the participants agreed that IES, IPF and TME were the
challenges in educating children in todays world other than IM .
Question 4: Did you instill good manner adab practice in your children(s)? (Figure 4)
Yes : 19 persons(76%).
No : 6 persons(24%).
4 - Description :
Majority of the parents instilled good manner practice in their children .
Question 5: Did you behave in good manner in front of your children? (Figure 5)
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 16


Yes : 18 persons(72%).
No : 7 persons(28%).

5 - Description :
Above seventy percents of the participants behave in good manner in front of their
children .
Question 6 : Did you spent a lot of free time with your children? (Figure 6)
Yes : 17 persons(68%)
No : 8 persons(32%)
6 - Description :
Almost seventy percents of the participant spent a lot of free time with their children .
Question 6A : If not, did you spent a quality time with them? (Figure 6A)
Yes : 2 persons(8%)
No : 6 persons(24%)
6A - Description :
Out of the minority which did not spent a lot of time with their children, only eight
percents that provide quality time to their children .
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 17


Question 7: Did your children refer or share with you their problem when facing any difficulties?
(Figure 7)
Yes : 11 persons(44%).
No : 14 persons(56%).
7 - Description :
More than fifty percents mentioned that their children did not refer to the parents when
facing any problems .
Question 8: Do you know how is your childrens friend is ? (Figure 8)
Yes : 16 students(64%).
No : 9 students(36%).

8 - Description :
Above sixty percents knew their childrens friend.
Question 9: Do you advice your children on how to choose a friend? (Figure 9)
Yes, : 7 persons(28%).
Somehow,yes : 14 persons(56%).
No : 4 persons(16%).
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 18


9 - Description :
Majority of the parents participated somehow advice their children.
About thirty percents consistently advice their children.
Only a quarter of the total percentages of the parents did not advice their children.
Question 10 : Do you inculcate Islamic teaching in your family life? (Figure 10)
Yes : 15 persons(60%).
Somehow, yes : 7 persons(35%).
No : 3 persons(5%).
10 - Description :
Sixty percents of the participants inculcate Islamic teaching in their family life.
About thirty percents somehow inculcate Islamic teaching in their family life.
Less than five percents did not inculcate Islamic teaching in their family life.

Question 11: Do you agree that lacking of knowledge of Islam in parents are the main reason for
the decadence of moral among todays youth? (Figure 11)
Yes : 19 persons(76%).
No : 6 persons(34%).
11 - Description :
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 19


More than seventy percents of the participants agreed that lacking of Islamic knowledge
were the root of the decadence of morality among youth .


Question 11A : If the answer is no tick the answer below OR give your own suggestion OR both
: (Figure 11A)
Lack of parenting knowledge (LPK) : 6 persons (34%)
Poverty : 0 person (0%)
11A - Description :
The remaining thirty four percents of the participants agreed that lacking of parenting
knowledge was the other reason of the youth morals decadence .
12)Are your aware of changes in your children attitude (towards negative behaviour)? (Figure
12)
Yes : 8 persons(32%).
No : 17 persons(68%).



The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 20


12 - Description :
About seventy percents of the participants did not aware of their children changes in
attiutudes .
13) Do you have any ways on preventing or curing the problems of your children?
(Figure 13)
Yes : 25 persons (100%).
No : 0 person(0%).
13 - Description :
All of the parents involved have ways to overcome their children problems .
13A) Ways on preventing/curing childrens immorality problems (multiple answers):
(Figure 13A)
Being strict in suitable/proper condition : 19 persons(76%)
Recitation of Quran and Hadith among family members : 18 persons(72)
Being a good listener to the children : 16 persons(64%)
Always in state of giving reminder/advice : 15 persons(60%)
Punishments in regards of wrong doing : 15 persons(60%)
Inculcate self discipline among family members : 14 persons(56%)
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 21


Instilling adab in daily life among family members : 17 persons(68%)

13A - Description :
Above fifty percents of the participants practices ways provided in the above question .

Figures


Figure 1
14
11
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
MALE FEMALE
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 22



Figure 2

Figure 3
0
0
2
5
6
12
BELOW 30
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50 ABOVE
25
16
18
19
IM
IES
IPF
TME
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 23



Figure 4

Figure 5

19
6
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
YES NO
18
7
YES
NO
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 24



Figure 6



Figure 6A
17
8
Yes
No
2
6
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Yes No
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 25



Figure 7

Figure 8
11
14
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
YES NO
16
9
YES
NO
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 26



Figure 9

Figure 10
7
14
4
YES
SOMEHOW,YES
NO
15
7
3
YES
SOMEHOW,YES
NO
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 27



Figure 11

Figure 11A
19
6
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
YES NO
6
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
LPK POVERTY
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 28



Figure 12

Figure 13
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
YES NO
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
YES NO
The Challenges In Educating Todays Children 29



Figure 13A









19
18
16
15
15
14
17
STRICT
TA'LIM
GOOD LISTENER
ALWAYS
ADVICE/REMINDER
PUNISHMENTS
SELF DISCIPLINE
ADAB PRACTICE