The theme of this Monday's walk-and-talk is the effect of adult-child power imbalances, and in particular their effect on expectations. This is part of September's larger theme, an investigation of power dynamics at a Sudbury-model school.
Historically, power imbalances have had a large effect on expectations. For example, a common belief among white people, when people of colour had no power, was that people of colour were inferior, to the point where they were better off as slaves, being told where to be and what to do.
As another example, a common belief among men, when women had no power, was that women were inferior, to the point where they were better of staying in the kitchen, being told where to be and what to do.
There was a time when even liberal-minded white people believed that getting off the farm would only work "for some negroes", and there was a time when even liberal-minded men believed that getting out of the kitchen would only work "for some women".
Due to power imbalances, people with power had very low expectations about the abilities of people without power.
The parallel with children need hardly be drawn. The question is, is the parallel true? Is it true that children in general are vastly better off out of the classroom, no longer being told where to be and what to do?
Naturally, as a school founder, I believe that the Sudbury model has demonstrated this to be true. My expectation for kids is high. What's interesting for me is how other people's expectations remain low, even after seeing a successful school. It parallels the common belief among white people back in the day that "sure, Joe Negro is okay, but he's an exception." Expectations can remain low by using outdated measurements, like judging empowered women by how many kids they raise and how good their quiche is.
Women and people of colour were restricted by a culture of low expectations. Children will find in a Sudbury-model school a place where their potential is matched by our expectations.
The walk-and-talk meets Monday at 7:00 in front of City Hall, and we begin walking at 7:15.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
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