Choosing Empowerment
Another choice is between dependency and empowerment. Dependency rests on the belief that there are people in power who know what is best for others, including ourselves. We think the task of these leaders is to create an environment where we can live a life of safety and predictability. Dependency also holds those above personally responsible for how we feel about ourselves (we want that positive feedback) and for how much freedom we have. I will never forget hearing a supervisor say to his boss, “I want my freedom, if it is all right with you.” Dependency is the collusion required for parenting and patriarchy to endure.
We cannot be leaders without followers, and we cannot be good parents unless we have good children. This ...
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