Children Quote by Doris Lessing
““Ideally, what should be said to every child, repeatedly, throughout his or her school life is something like this: 'You are in the process of being indoctrinated. We have not yet evolved a system of education that is not a system of indoctrination. We are sorry, but it is the best we can do. What you are being taught here is an amalgam of current prejudice and the choices of this particular culture. The slightest look at history will show how impermanent these must be. You are being taught by people who have been able to accommodate themselves to a regime of thought laid down by their predecessors. It is a self-perpetuating system. Those of you who are more robust and individual than others will be encouraged to leave and find ways of educating yourself — educating your own judgements. Those that stay must remember, always, and all the time, that they are being moulded and patterned to fit into the narrow and particular needs of this particular society.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 1995, The Guardian
Education shapes minds but often transmits prevailing biases, making critical self‑education essential.
In simple terms: Schools teach current culture, so think for yourself.
Key Takeaway
Question what you learn, seek independent judgment.
Themes
education
critical thinking
individualism
culture
indoctrination
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- high school
- university
- self‑study
- activism
- career counseling
Key Concepts
social conditioning
self‑directed learning
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools balance shared knowledge with fostering independence?
- What strategies help individuals recognize cultural bias?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize all schooling as indoctrination, ignoring reformist practices.
