For Whom is the Teacher and for What is the Teaching? An Educational Reframe of the Parent Ego State

Abstract

The author revisits one of his previous articles, which presented an inverted conceptualization of the ego state model, and considers that model with a new, specific focus on implications for teachers and educational practice. In doing so, he addresses related themes, including the concepts of grown-up-ness and eldership. The author suggests that although emancipation has been a recurring theme in educational discourse, an alternative perspective, and experience of freedom, is possible in the context of a reframed Parent ego state position. The paper presents case material to illustrate what is primarily an existential account of educational purpose.

Keywords:

• Education
• Parent ego state
• grown-up-ness
• eldership
• freedom
• ecology
• indigeneity
• social responsibility

Disclosure Statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Giles Barrow

Giles Barrow, MA, MEd, PGCE, Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (education), is a qualified teacher and trainer working in the United Kingdom. He can be contacted at Mill House, Mill Hill, Earl Soham, Suffolk IP13 7RP, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].