Giuseppe Zanniello

L’integrazione dei compiti della madre e del padre nell’educazione dei figli e delle figlie

The harmonious development of youth personality requires family stability and a positive emotional atmosphere; both needs are threatened by pedagogical errors both theoretical and practical. Educationalists develop skills in parents when undertaking to understand their real needs refraining from using abstract models. The phenomenological study of the most frequent educational behavior is a good starting point to set training interventions for parents. Human imperfections, experienced in their parents – as their primary caregivers – do not prevent children from achieving their potential once they perceive in them a recognition of mistakes and a desire for improvement. Educational relationships in the family vary significantly in different cultures; so the family pedagogue, instead of providing “recipes”, plunges into the daily life of the parents and develop their analytical skill and the ability to solve problems. The expectations towards the family pedagogue have increased because of the increased number of couples in crisis; the pedagogical training of parents is part of the third university mission.

La funzione educativa dei nonni

The essay illustrates the content of Family Empowerment Courses for the educational training of grandparents. After a brief resume of the recent social changes in the role of grandparents in family life, the article examines the permanent dimensions of their role as the grandchildren’s educators. Particular stress is placed on grandparents’ ability to actively pay attention to the stories their grandchildren tell. The older generation can contribute dramatically to their children and grandchildren’s happiness when they dedicate themselves to the education of the younger generations. In the essay we give some examples of the contributions that grandparents can make to their grandchildren’s education.