Elimination of the Category of Masculinity and Fatherhood in the Theory and Practice of Education

Abstract

One of the most important sources of the modern crisis of education is the absence of the category of fatherhood – the foundations of that crisis lie in the field of philosophy, culture and civilization. Fatherhood can be understood in two ways: “from the bottom” and “from the top”. The first one is based on a biological concept of a man (a male). The second one refers to a spiritual (personal) concept of fatherhood – it is the form of love and its ideal example is God’s fatherhood. The paternal model of pedagogy includes: 1) power (especially self-control), 2) courage, 3) respect for principles (honour), 4) responsibility for others (for the family), 5) selflessness, 6) objectivity. Problems related to fatherhood require good metaphysics and anthropology – the appropriate basis for considering these issues can be found in “Theology of the body” by John Paul II.