Teaching Students to Be Empowered
Teaching young people empowerment is one of the best ways to decrease conflict in their lives. Empowerment is having the ability, power, and authority to act on your own behalf. Empowerment is believing that you are in charge of yourself, your choices, and your decisions.
When young people feel empowered, when they believe that they are in control of their own choices, they will not only make better choices, but will also be able to better deal with any conflicts that arise.
Young people become empowered when they are allowed to make decisions and take responsibility for those decisions. When they realize that they have choices and own the outcome of those choices, they are empowered. When they are affirmed because of their choices and the learning derived from them, they are empowered.
When young people feel powerless, on the other hand, they cannot act on their own behalf. Students who do not feel empowered will not be able to stand up for themselves against a bully or against peer pressure and drugs.
Therefore, it is very important to teach young people to be empowered. There are several simple ways to help young people feel empowered and in charge of their choices and lives:
- Use authoritative discipline- Let young people have a say in both the rules of the house or the classroom and the consequences for breaking those rules. They will be less likely to break the rules if they had a part in creating them and fully understand their consequences.
- Create opportunities for decision making, problem, solving, and leadership- Try role-playing conflict scenarios, or help young people discuss an actual conflict, encouraging them to take responsibility for their part in the argument.
- Teach the “bully” to get what he/she needs without bullying- Teach better communication skills through role-playing or other exercises.
- Tell the “victim” how NOT to be a victim- Teach students ways to express their feelings without making the conflict worse, and make sure they know to tell an adult if a bullying situation becomes serious.
- Explain to youth WHY people do what they do- Understanding reduces fear, and fear is the greatest obstacle to empowerment and self-esteem.
- Teach other skills that help children to feel empowered.
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