{"id":21312,"date":"2024-03-15T13:26:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T12:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=21312"},"modified":"2026-05-11T17:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T16:02:41","slug":"straight-talk-for-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/straight-talk-for-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Straight Talk For Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Adults perpetuate their own wounds in the children they love. Assagioli on adult understanding of children, Montessori’s call, and the inner work parenting requires.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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By Roberto Assagioli<\/strong>
Four-part series published in Montessori<\/em> (monthly magazine of the Opera Montessori foundation), 1931-1932.
Docs. #23741, #23743, #23744, #23748, #23751, Assagioli Archives, Florence.
Original title: Parole Franche Agli Adulti \u2014 I-4<\/em> [1]<\/span><\/span><\/a>
Translated and edited with notes by Jan Kuniholm [2]<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Note<\/strong>
The abstract and contextual subtitle in this online edition have been added by the editor, Kenneth S\u00f8rensen, to support readability, navigation, and archival consistency. The original wording has not been altered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abstract<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a four-part series Assagioli published in 1931-1932 in Montessori<\/em>, the monthly magazine of the Opera Montessori foundation. Drawing on Maria Montessori’s “crusade of liberation” and his own clinical work, he argues that adults often hinder rather than help the children they love, perpetuating their own wounds onto the next generation unless they engage in serious self-reflection. The series presents an early published version of his egg-diagram model of the psyche (Lower, Middle, and Higher Subconscious; the Conscious “I”; the Spiritual “I”), explores the rhythms of inner formation, and introduces individual psychological types as a framework for treating each child according to their nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part I.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many years Maria Montessori <\/span><\/span>[3]<\/span><\/span><\/a> has promoted her holy crusade for the redemption of the child with both the fervor of an apostle and the seriousness of a scientist. Now, having returned to Italy after a long absence, she has resumed this work among us with renewed energy by means of her international courses, articles in journals and newspapers, and the founding of the magazine which bears her name.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beneficial results of this noble work of love and science are beginning to be noticed, but there is still infinitely much to be done to break through the thick veils of illusions, prejudices, and distrust that obscure the truth. Therefore, I feel that it is a definite duty for all those who have seen and recognized the new light to cooperate with all their strength and in every possible way with Dr. Montessori’s crusade of liberation, extending it more and more to adolescents as well.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This series of articles aims to be a small contribution to that work. In them I will try to summarize the results of my own experience and activity as a physician and psychologist, and [conclusions] from the studies of others who have worked in this field in various ways.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, we must realize the seriousness and urgency of the issue. The problem of relationships between adults and children and adolescents is difficult and complex, and we must face this courageously, sincerely, without fear of hurting our adult sensitivities, pride, and selfishness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must begin by acknowledging a rather disconcerting and humiliating truth: in general, <\/span><\/span>we do not understand the child and the adolescent at all<\/span><\/span><\/em> . Far from helping him, as we often delude ourselves about what we do, <\/span><\/span>we continually hinder him in his formation and vital expression<\/span><\/span><\/em> . To use Maria Montessori’s strong and succinct expression: ” <\/span><\/span>The child tries to live and we want to prevent him from doing so.” <\/span><\/span><\/em> [4]<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results of our blindness are ruinous. Countless failures must be attributed to it as well as the unhappiness of young people and adults, a great many cases of nervous and mental illnesses, and even certain more serious cases of crime and suicide.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The victims of these vital hindrances and mutilations can be divided into three main categories:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n