I ended up choosing to read Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom by William Glasser. The book seems like it is ultimately about how good relationships result in happier lives for people. Glasser argues that people choose what they do. Unfortunately, many people choose to be miserable. People have more control over their lives than they think, and this includes control of being happy. Most unhappy people are so because they can’t get along with people in their lives including their spouse, co-workers, family, or students. People fall into categories of controlling and/or being controlled, which results in unhappiness for both parties. Instead of using force, punishment, manipulation, motivation, criticism, blame and complaints we should use care, listening, support, love, encouragement, trust, and acceptance. A salient example used is the difference between our relationship with a good friend and our relationship with students or employees. Ultimately choice theory is about happiness. I have only read the first chapter, but I am really excited about this book. Our current school system encourages punishment, criticism, and manipulation, all of which I am guilty of. We are hard on students because we care, right? Well Glasser theorizes that this is completely unproductive by making both parties unhappy. I think back to relationships and I can see that I feel like I am being controlled or am controlling my partner and they never worked out. I have some friendships that have been very strong up to this very day and I am always happy to be around them because they are happy. We treat each other with unconditional love. I think this is what Glasser is trying to get at. I am still struggling with the idea of how this will work with students, so I am looking forward to the chapter on Choice Theory in schools.
I have only read the first chapter, but I am really excited about this book. Our current school system encourages punishment, criticism, and manipulation, all of which I am guilty of. We are hard on students because we care, right? Well Glasser theorizes that this is completely unproductive by making both parties unhappy. I think back to relationships and I can see that I feel like I am being controlled or am controlling my partner and they never worked out. I have some friendships that have been very strong up to this very day and I am always happy to be around them because they are happy. We treat each other with unconditional love. I think this is what Glasser is trying to get at. I am still struggling with the idea of how this will work with students, so I am looking forward to the chapter on Choice Theory in schools.