CHARACTER building may tend to be overshadowed by academic subjects in formal schooling but its importance for the individual, and for society at large, cannot be over-emphasized.

 

 

Teach by example

Teaching good character is a process best accomplished by example or by stories of those who demonstrate good character traits. Traits like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship must be demonstrated to the child for the lesson to be driven home.

Taxi driver Mr Yap Chye Huat never keeps anything he finds in his cab. He has been commended on eight occasions for returning items such as a watch, camera and mobile phone that were left behind by his passengers. He says that he is glad his efforts at returning lost items to their rightful owners have brought great relief to them.

Some sports people cheat in competitions by taking banned drugs. Marion Jones became the first woman to win five medals at a single Olympics, the Sydney Olympics in 2000. However, in 2007, she had to admit to having taken banned drugs. She was then deprived of her Olympic medals and sentenced to six months in prison.

Marites Galam, the Filipino head waitress at a restaurant in Singapore, found a wallet containing S$16,600 in a toilet near the restaurant. She immediately handed the wallet to her manager. When the wallet's owner came to claim it, she offered Mrs Galam a reward. Mrs Galam refused to accept, saying that it was enough just to do the right thing. The Philippine Ambassador to Singapore praised her for her honesty and being a good example to Filipino workers everywhere.

Examples from real life

The lesson contained in the above real life examples deal with the trait of honesty. Honesty is the quality shown by people who tell the truth and do not try to cheat or trick others. The opposite of honesty is dishonesty.

As we grow up, most of us are taught the difference between right and wrong and the difference between the truth and a lie. The part of our mind that remembers these differences is called our conscience. Honest people use their conscience as a guide to how they should behave. They do not do wrong or tell lies for their own benefit. They respect other people and their rights. They also respect themselves.

 

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For your use: A Character Building Resource