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Jake Frackson

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Shame is a hinderance to education.

In Brené Brown's "Listening to Shame," she describes the difference between guilt and shame: guilt is "I made a mistake" and shame is "I am a mistake." By accepting these definitions, can it not be assumed that shame is not needed in schools? If shame is a personal opinion of oneself, is it not then only a hinderance to gaining an education?

In an article that I wrote recently(jakefrackson.wordpress.com - You Should be Ashamed of Yourself), I discuss shame and its role in education systems. I explore the use of shame and why, I believe, it is not necessary.

Working with the definition of shame above, is shame a hinderance to education?

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Topics: education philosophy shame
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  • Patience Gardener

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    Nov 9 2012: Shame has been used for generations to intimidate free thinkers (public humiliation for what the town does't approve of comes to mind).

    Shame is not the normal response of a "good conscience" because shame is the result of someone else telling you how to act, not from knowing yourself what is right.

    Shame isn't motivating, it's degrading.

    Why would you want to improve for a teacher, a coach, or anyone else who makes you feel so bad even if shame didn't leave you feeling like you are incapable of becoming better?

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