Parents as Social Justice Educators

			Parents as Social Justice Educators

Click here for comments about this curriculum.

Authors: Roberta and Christopher Nelson

Publisher: Unitarian Universalist Association

Pub. Date: 1993

Available From: UUA Bookstore

Theme and Description Helps parents and other adults help children and youth find meaning in the world and learn to make the world a better place. Makes connections between our religious faith and values and our actions. Encourages adults to appreciate the value of their own social action efforts; to share their convictions with young people; and to nurture and inspire hope, compassion, and commitment in the family, congregation, and larger community.

Goals for Participants

To assess their commitment to social justice issues
To learn ways that families can participate together in projects that contribute to the greater societal good
To examine patterns, lifestyles, and actions that are both congruent and incongruent with their espoused theories of social responsibility
To gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist
To appreciate the important role that parents play in the development of children's social conscience
To understand the religious dimension of acting on their convictions
To improve their ability to respond to tough social justice situations and questions.

Age Range Adults

Size of Group 8 to 20 (12 to 16 ideal)

Space Requirements A comfortable, private meeting room with enough space for the group to divide into small groups, wall space for posting newsprint. The room needs to be darkened for showing films.

Number of Sessions 6

Length of Sessions 2 to 2 112 hours

Leader Training Requires a leader or co-leaders skilled in group process

Leader Preparation 2 to 3 hours per session

Strengths

Highly participatory with a variety of exercises
Affirms participants' commitments to social responsibility and gives practical help in responding to the social justice-related questions of young people and other adults
Addresses racial diversity and a variety of other social justice issues
Helps strengthen family and/or congregational ties.

Limitations In 6 sessions, this program cannot begin to address all social issues or all participant questions. If participants are frustrated by this limit, the group may respond by meeting for more than 6 sessions.

Adaptability

Can easily fit a weekend format or be part of a weeklong conference.
Despite its title, the program is not just for parents, but also for teachers and anyone who works with and cares for children or youth.

Unitarian Universalist Values Particularly affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.