Issues in Freirean Pedagogy

Brightly colored political posters, even more than mismatched chairs, worn carpeting, and unwashed windows, set this classroom apart from other schools. Eight Hispanic adults--three women and five men--gathered with their teacher to resume their lessons in literacy. Maria had arrived late, visibly distraught, explaining that her husband had threatened her. He didn't want her going out to classes at night and argued that her three children were being neglected. Maria, leaving the argument unresolved, had come to resume her studies. Her teacher, instead of giving advice or encouragement, asked the group for help. The members reflected on the Maria's experience and, in the process, identified several issues: a husband's putative "rights" over his wife, acceptance of domestic violence against women as `normal,' a presumption that women are "asking for trouble" if they go outside at night and that Maria had the major responsibility for her children.