Transcript Don Bosco`s Method

Don Bosco’s Method
For the evangelization and the
education of youth.
If God gives me life…
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1877: D. Bosco writes
Little Treatise on the
Preventive System:
tells readers this is
merely an
introduction…
says he hopes to write
a more systematic work
later…
It seems he never did!
What & Why?
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“Two age-old systems”
Repressive:
– make rules known, and enforce
them…
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Preventive:
– “the rules are made known, then
the educators like loving parents
advise the young, watch them,
put them “in the moral
impossibility of committing faults.”
What & Why?
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Based entirely on Gospel:
– Reason,
– Religion,
– Loving kindness
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«This system prevents punishments».
Advantages:
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With this
approach, the
educator does not
antagonize the
young who are
naturally
sensitive.
Advantages:
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This approach
helps overcome
the natural
inconstancy of the
young.
Advantages:
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The repressive
system can
prevent disorders,
but cannot make
the young
better…
Advantages:
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The preventive
system works on
the heart, and the
educator can
have a great
influence.
Charity in action
Director is always present.
 Staff of known morality.
 Let kids jump, run, yell.
 Music, games, fun.
 Prayer and the sacraments.
 Young grow up in a climate that values
virtue and commitment.
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Usefulness:
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If it seems harder for educators, it
makes growth easier for young people.
Usefulness:
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Young people become friends of the
educators, “useful citizens and good
Christians”.
Usefulness:
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All the young become better, even the
worst.
Usefulness:
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Young people with bad habits won’t
corrupt the others.
A word on punishments.
Educators should “seek to make themselves
loved, if they want to be respected.”
 Punishment is whatever is intended as such.
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– Therefore, no need to use force: just withholding
some sign of benevolence is a punishment, but
this never antagonizes.
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No public punishments. Correct in private.
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A couple of problems
Is Don Bosco’s approach really
applicable in all situations?
?