Rational apprehension of dangers is necessary ; fear is not. A child cannot apprehend dangers without some element of fear, but this element is very much diminished when it is not present in the instructor. A grown-up person in charge of a child should never feel fear. That is one reason why courage should be cultivated in women just as much as in men.
Source: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, by Bertrand Russell
More info.: Fear
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There are dangers all around us in the world. Even if the probability is low, we never know when an earthquake or a serious accident might occur. However, if we remain constantly on alert, our minds cannot rest. That is why people generally choose to stay in places where they feel safe -- especially at home, which often provides the greatest sense of security -- and live without being perpetually on guard.
Politicians skillfully exploit this kind of vague anxiety. In many countries, during elections, politicians appeal to the public by saying, "I will protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens -- please send me to parliament (or give me your vote)." As this shows, for power-seeking politicians aiming to take office, a fearful public may in fact be a desirable constituency.
However, it is often difficult to change the mindset of adults once it has taken root. For this reason, ruling parties frequently turn their attention to school education, encouraging the teaching of the importance of preserving the existing order to children, whose ways of thinking have not yet solidified and who are still capable of flexible thought.
In doing so, they may emphasize the value of patriotism or attempt to instill a belief in the necessity of strengthening national defense through the school system.
But we must recall the history in which many nations, driven by anxiety, marched toward war. It is better not to too readily accept the idea that instilling patriotism in children is unquestionably a good thing.
The passage from "Russell's Words for Today" quoted below comes from On Education (1926), written nearly a century ago by Bertrand Russell. It offers thought-provoking insights, stating that "rational apprehension of danger is necessary, but fear is not," and that women -- who often take charge of children's education, particularly at the elementary school level -- require courage just as much as men.
Rational apprehension of dangers is necessary; fear is not. A child cannot apprehend dangers without some element of fear, but this element is very much diminished when it is not present in the instructor. A grown-up person in charge of a child should never feel fear. That is one reason why courage should be cultivated in women just as much as in men.
