Education and the Shaping of Attitudes

[Ginafish]

I'm wondering if it's really a matter of appreciation for things like cell phones when the cost of having one may interfere with being able to provide basic needs? I believe Kirk mentioned at one time that the monthly fee for having a cell phone in many cases is quite high compared to the income of the Thai. So would that be a matter of appreciation or consumerists greed?

The 'quite a lot' response in your table is interesting in that the less educated responded higher than the educated. Hmm...

Thank Jennie!

[Jennie]

Hey everyone,

So the last few weeks I've been stuck in front of the computer trying to sort my work out. And of course I've run into some problems. So I'm just gonna throw out a question here and see if anyone is up for a philosophic discussion. ZeroG? 

What is national unity? (I need it backed up by literature, that's the tricky part!)

I appreciate any thoughts and comments!

[ZeroG]

The most recent example of national unity I have witnessed is how the United States responded to 911. We gave up a ton of rights which our nation was founded on, just to unite in a common goal against terrorism. It was like our rights came back to bite us, so we gave them up until we could stop terrorism.

I'm sure, if you looked down that path, you will find some nice stories. Don't look for why the U.S. had 911, but rather how we responded, and ultimately how the freedoms we hold so dear were collectively given up for a better cause.

As for deep philosophical perspective, hmm...

Lets take free will...people can celebrate in the fact that we have a choice, and we choose national unity.

Or...let's take religion...religion binds us in a common belief. National Unity == Common Belief.

Existentialists...my identity is defined by my country. Yes, there is a whole world out there, but all I know about me is where I fit this country.However, this conflicts with current views which concentrate on the individual. Mine is a relative view on existence. 

That should get you going. 

[Jennie]

Thank's ZeroG, figured you'd have some thoughts.. 

What I need is almost more basic, like a definition. There is one to be found, namely "the sense of belonging to the same political unit". I sort of agree with that but feel it should also include tolerance, because when promoting national unity, usually issues of tolerance and acceptance are stressed. Educating people to feel citizenship, and to feel that they belong to a country rather than for example an ethnic group. However, there's not really anyone defining national unity like this. No one is really defining it at all, only promoting it, which is a bit odd! What do you think?

[ZeroG]

Hey Jennie,

I can only speak from what you and other's there in Nong Khai have told me. Thai people are very kind and grateful. Also, as witnessed by the picture of the King in the computer room, they are united in their love for their King. I'm sure you can come up with more qualities which uniquely define Thai people.

Tolerance and acceptance are exhibited in their kindness towards others. I guess you need to define what role education can play in creating national unity. Perhaps awareness of these common traits, and showing how they are an asset in developing national unity is what you need to say.

I was pointing to some basic philosophical questions to get you thinking about underlying cause. I know you don't want to get into religion, but that could be the thing that unifies them. There is something in their mind which says 'it is good to be kind to others'. Maybe that comes from their religion. Maybe education of how religion can unify them is what is needed to shape their attitudes.

[wendygirl]

National unity is large scale but maybe thinking along the lines of the unity of family or a small community could help with a definition.  Even in a family there are differences but we work together to grow and learn for a better future of individual and group.
Hope this helps.  Good luck.

P.S. I have enjoyed reading about your project.

[Jennie]

Thank you both for giving your views! It's great to get some new input and ideas since it's so easy to get stuck in your own work. Going to have a think about all and at the same time try enjoy a tiny bit of holiday in Singapore.

Wendygirl, I'm glad you've enjoyed the thread! I'll write more when I see some new progress.

[Jennie]

Hi everyone! Sorry, this has been a rather uneventful topic... Ran into some problems with my essay and didn't really know what to write here. Things are going much better now though!! Met my supervisor a few days ago, had prepared for the worst and was suprised when she was actually positive.

Had a discussion group in Bangkok before I left for Sweden, which was really interesting. Discussed matters such as quality of higher education and the meaning of national unity in thailand. The girls I talked to both stressed the importance of the King as a uniting force, however, they seemed to have problems understanding the concept of national unity. (which I guess anyone would find rather tricky!) Religion didn't seem to be very important at all, as they believed that many people are buddhist but don't really care... I asked whether or not they believed that their education has made them more openminded, tolerant and positive towards a united country. They answered that Thai education tends to teach students how to think "within the box", and not for themselves. Of course it depends on what subject they study but in general they felt that lots of improvment is necessary!

Really interesting. I feel that what they said mirrored some of my research results; you are socialised into believing certain things but not really applying them to your own life. You say one thing and do another. This since I found that education creates more positive attitudes towards national unity. However the mediating variable was not tolerance (as my hypothesis first suggested) since education doesn't make people more tolerant! I think it's easy to tick a box saying that you are positive towards a more united country, thinking it sounds good whilst not really knowing what it means. But when it comes to tolerance questions, how you behave and treat other people, education hasn't created the awareness necessary for you to alter your behaviour.

Just some thoughts... Feel free to comment!

Otherwise I miss Isara and my lovely friends over there! Sweden is good though, today I worked my second day at our government owned "Systembolaget" selling alcohol. Quite interesting and fun but I'm fearing July when all the tourists invade the island and the queues are ending up across the street! Had wine tasting the other day so that I know what to recommend for all the barbeques coming up. Was it fresh and fruity or...?

[Ginafish]

I'd like a blush, sweet please.

I'm so glad your supervisor had positive things to say to you! Course, it's what I expected all along.

[ianh68]

Jennie, have you come across Niels Mulder's work:  "Inside Thai Society" and "Thai Images:The Culture of the Public World"? Lots of deep thinking there which is helping me enormously to understand the people whom I am now living amongst.

[Jennie]

Just wanted to thank everyone who followed this topic and announce that it has all gone well. Disertation was this week and today I got the grade.. Got an A so I'm very very pleased. 

Don't know if I can upload it here? Anyway, here is a link to it (quite temporary I believe) if anyone is interested to read my conclusions on national unity and education in Thailand!
http://student.statsvet.u...visadokument.aspx?id=1622

Huge thank you to Isara, could not have done this without you!

[PK]

Congratulations! An "A". That's great news, Jennie!!!

Does that mean you're free to come back to Thailand now?

[Jennie]

I'm free to do anything I want! Haha. No I'm actually off to New Zealand on Monday, but you can expect to see me back in Thailand in the beginning of next year.

[Ginafish]

YippeEEEeeeeEE!! An A! Congratulations!
If you are off to New Zealand, are you still working at the liquor emporium?

[Jennie]

Haha no, that was only during summer, but I'll probably go back there next year. It was a pretty eventful job after all..

[Ginafish]

Jennie, that was a very well written and cohesive paper. I saw Isara mentioned too! Are Oom and Ning from Nong Khai?

[KitKat]

   Congratulations Jennie, an "A"!!!     Thanks for posting your paper for us to read,  I can't wait to read it.  

[Nick Lane]

What great news! Good to hear from you, Jennie. Best of luck in your travels!

[Jennie]

Jennie, that was a very well written and cohesive paper. I saw Isara mentioned too! Are Oom and Ning from Nong Khai?

Wow, didn't think anyone would acutally read all the 48 pages, well done Ginafish! And thank you! No Oom and Ning are both from Bangkok, studying at Chulalongkorn University.

[Ming]

JENnie...Congrats for an "A". Very good job.
Nice that you are now free to do anything you want. Enjoy your freedom! 

P.s. 48 pages..I need a little time to read that.

[Ginafish]

Actually, it was 50 pages... I read the title page too.