Witold Pilecki as a caring parent model from the Erik Erikson’s theory perspective

Abstract

The subject matter of the paper focuses on the figures of the Steadfast Soldiers as personal role models in upbringing towards higher values. In historical literature, there are many studies dedicated to the Steadfast Soldiers, whereas in psycho-pedagogical literature there have been only a few so far. It is the intention of the author of this paper to reinvigorate scholarly reflection on the educational implications of the biographies of the Steadfast. It is well known that Witold Pilecki, the most famous Steadfast Soldier, was an outstanding patriot. The aim of this paper is to show that he was also a model of a caring parent, inspiring emulation. The article refers to Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, with a particular focus on the virtue of care, which makes it possible to resolve the generativity-stagnation crisis typical for middle adulthood and helps to properly perform the task of raising offspring. According to Erikson, a truly caring parent continually develops a tendency to care about people (primarily their own offspring, but also people in general), objects and ideas. The virtue of care manifests itself by going beyond the needs of the self, by acting for the good of future generations, by being authentic. Care helps to cope with the stagnation manifested by excessive focus on oneself and resentment towards others. It has been shown that Witold Pilecki perfectly fulfilled Erikson’s listed criteria for genuine caring and is thus a personal role model in education for caring parenthood. The paper uses the biography method. Selected studies and source texts describing Pilecki’s life and activities were used, with a special focus on the memoirs of his daughter, Zofia Pilecka-Optułowicz. She portrayed Witold Pilecki as a parent caring for his offspring and other people, a resourceful farmer vigorously engaged in agricultural production and a man devoted to the idea of helping others, selflessly striving to make it a reality.