Parallel Oppressions

Abstract

Schooling is generally a culture, a context, where there are particular behaviors that are allowable and those that are not. What we allow, recommend, and encourage for both our students and teachers says a great deal about what our society believes about freedom, empowerment, politics, and controversy. This article shares a theoretical view of the authoritarian school structure and its impact on both students and teachers. While this is a primarily theoretical piece, the author also shares examples from current research that paint a picture of the unfortunate teacher-society and teacher-student interactions, but also the potential for meaningful human engagement.