We explain what civics is and some characteristics of this term. Furthermore, the importance it has in society.
What is Civic?
The concept of civic is a term derived from that of citizen, understood as that member of society who has reached a degree of social maturity sufficient to act in accordance with current norms. In this way, it becomes an adjective that characterizes people who comply with a series of guidelines, oriented towards good social coexistence within a community.
Dictionaries recognize it as an adjective and not as a noun, although it can be heard that way, as an abstract concept that refers to human conscience linked to respectful behavior with neighbors, or with the institutions and interests of the country.
The expression “comply with civic duty”, which is used colloquially in Argentina to refer to the act of voting, expresses the importance assigned to suffrage in democracies.
Likewise, civic courage is the courage to fulfill those duties without fear of political reprisals, as well as the civic crown It is the one that was assigned in Ancient Rome to war heroes, or the civic notebook is a document that accredited the status of citizens in some Latin American countries in the last century.
Family, tradition and culture are fundamental bridges for the acquisition of that civic culture, but at the same time it is necessary a formalization of this insertion in the sphere of life in society.
See also: Socialization
Why is civic education important?
The existence of civic education in the areas of study is necessary, which transmits, at least, the values that children must acquire to be good citizens. This subject is a compulsory subject in almost all countries in the case of secondary education, and often also in the case of primary education.
Much has been theorized and founded on civic education, with great strength in what aims to promote the recognition and respect of human rightsas a path to establish ethically correct values and behaviors.
In that sense, from the first years of schooling, emphasis is placed on understanding the dignity of peopleequality in diversity, freedoms and responsibilities, and the characteristics of the norms.
Once this knowledge has been consolidated, it will be time to think about the question of power, rights, the organization of States, democracy and citizenship.
Having newly acquired all this knowledge (more appropriately called “competences”), the richest stage in the construction of a civic culture can beginwhich is one that allows us to discuss and rethink it: consider the validity of human rights, the role of States in that sense, the behaviors of each individual and groups, and the currents of thought that are organized around it.
civic education generated debates for a long timesince some thinkers (such as Pierre Bourdieu) believe that it only seeks to reproduce some social structures that deepen inequality, without changing anything at the root. In some European countries, where youth are questioning the political class and manifesting it through protests, they also demand an analysis of civic education and an eventual reformulation, according to the needs of young people.
