Social Education Between the Past and the Present: From Discipline to Awareness

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Social education has undergone fundamental transformations throughout history, reflecting the nature of the changes experienced by human societies. While education in the past focused on discipline and obedience, it now seeks to develop awareness and individual responsibility to meet the demands and challenges of modern life. In the past, social education was based on traditional principles manifested in respecting elders, obeying parents and teachers, and adhering to social rules without discussion. The main goal at that time was to instill order and disciplined behavior that maintained social cohesion and stability. Schools and families represented strict authoritative institutions concerned more with correcting behavior than developing thought, which made the learner a passive recipient who relied on rote learning rather than understanding and analysis. In the present, the concept of social education has evolved to keep pace with cultural, scientific, and technological transformations. Education now aims to build critical social awareness and enable individuals to make responsible decisions that contribute to their personal and social development. Discipline is no longer an end in itself but rather a means to achieve balance between freedom and responsibility. The teacher and educator have become partners in shaping the learner’s personality rather than mere sources of commands and instructions. This shift is closely linked to the development of modern learning theories, which emphasize self-learning, social interaction, and the development of critical and creative thinking skills. Educational institutions have realized that social awareness cannot be imposed; it must be built through dialogue, participation, and real-life experiences. Today, social education is no longer limited to teaching proper behavior. It strives to build individuals who are aware of their issues, open to others, and capable of contribution and change. In doing so, it lays the foundation for a balanced society that combines the values of the past with the culture of the present, while looking forward to a future built on awareness and responsibility.