Education in the narcissistic society: An analysis of the situation in some selected Slovenian primary schools

Abstract

In this article, data gathered through participant-observation at a school is used and interviews with pedagogical workers are analysed to establish how the school, as the key institution of cultural transmission, shapes a narcissistic culture by favouring permissive educational praxis. The findings will be shown in the light of Slovenian primary education reform of the 9-year primary school. It will be attempted to show how changes in the educational system emphasise permissiveness (manifested as a greater choice of subjects, less repressive evaluation methods, less strict advancement terms, teaching methods designed for active and independent pupil participation, more democratic relations between pupils and teachers, practicing alternative punishments and a therapeutic approach instead of restrictive one) and therefore influence the development of narcissistic features in maturing young people. The study concludes that school is the key institution and instrument of capitalist society, which socializes and educates individuals for the narcissistic consumer society.