An investigation into social studies curriculum and course books in the context of women's and children's rights

Abstract

Human rights are necessary and compulsory for all people irrespective of language, religion, race, gender or sect. Learning about these rights begins within family and continues in school formally. Human rights education is necessary for values of human rights to pass from theory to practice. The rights given to people or groups with certain characteristics only in the past are today offered on the basis of equality and freedom in the contemporary society. Among those groups, children and women who obtained their rights later than others are of sensitive importance. This study investigated the extent to which children’s and women’s rights are included in the social sciences curriculum and social sciences course books. Among qualitative research methods, the document analysis was used in the study. The results of study showed that children's and women's rights are not included in social sciences course and curriculum at a desired level, the values that can be associated with human rights are included, yet these values are not distributed in a balanced way across grades. Learning outcomes regarding human rights in the curriculum of social sciences can be increased. The contents about children's and women's rights can be increased. Also, the current and controversial topics regarding children's and women's rights can be added in the course books.