Utopianism and Anti-Utopianism in the Ways Older Ethiopian Children Construct their National Identity and Implications for Social Studies Education
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Using critical exploration method (Duckworth, 2006) and constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2003), this in-depth qualitative research explores older Ethiopian elementary school children's conceptualization of their national identity.Twelve children between the ages eight and fourteen were recruited from one private and one public elementary school in Ethiopia.They were interviewed on their knowledge, beliefs, and attitude towards their country and their national in-group.Their responses were analyzed in light of the age-old tension between utopianism and anti-utopianism-a tension that translates to the Tewahedo (Oneness, Unity) versus Dualism debate that became more visible in the 5 th century separation of Roman Catholic and Oriental Christologies.The analysis showed that six children gravitated towards the anti-utopian (dualistic) cognitive orientation where as the other six showed a more utopian outlook of their society and their national identity.The two groups had deep differences in their perspective on twelve major areas.These were: on the value of money, on how they see being "human" and in relation to being "Ethiopian," on the purpose of work and the public sector, on the what and why of technology, on what counts as valuable knowledge, on the cause and implications of inequality, on what counts as excellence, success, and victory, on nature/environment, on the balance between masculine and feminine principles in the social and natural world, on women and motherhood, on a sense of national continuity and the meaning of change, and on the nature and function of government.The children in the anti-utopian group saw these areas mainly from masculine, militaristic, and dualistic perspective on themselves, their society, their environment, and societal institutions.
Author: Meskerem Lechissa Debele
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2298816736