Perception of Social and Environmental Problems by English and Mexican School Children

Authors

  • Laura Barraza Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México

Abstract

Identifying children's concerns about the world and the environmental situation can help orientate educational efforts in order to reinforce positive behaviours towards the environment. I describe Mexican and English school children's (aged 7 to 9) perceptions of the world and environmental problems. I explore the extent to which culture and school ethos with regards to the environment are influential factors in children's views of global and environmental problems. A close-ended questionnaire was given to children from eight schools with different ethos. Results reveal that, both English and Mexican children perceived war, pollution, and hunger as the three most important problems in the world. The school ethos was a determining factor that influenced children in their perception of social and environmental problems.

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Published

2001-01-01

Issue

Section

Articles