The Educator’s Vulnerability: Systemic Oppression From an Indian Frame of Reference

Abstract

AbstractThe author explores the impact of the Indian Cultural Parent on education in India, particularly the possible impact on transactional analysis (TA) training through the experience of both trainers and trainees. The article touches on the author’s personal exploration and considers relevant philosophical ideas and political systems and systemic processes. She aims to understand the educator’s role through the experience in the Indian cultural context of having a rich heritage with ancestral influences that contribute to academic rigidity and a dogmatic approach. She asks from a systemic perspective what influences academic rigidity in the Indian TA community and what unconscious process has been part of the Indian psyche for the TA educator. Instances are given of issues that inhibit the educator’s flexibility unconsciously and the learner’s culture shock experiences that can result in chaos and confusion. The article concludes with a perspective on the learning space using Cupsa’s stages of change, which learners and educators can contribute to in the process of becoming.Keywords: Transactional analysisSanskritizationIslamizationWesternizationcolonializationglobalizationEthnic Child ego stateacademic rigiditycontaminationculture shock AcknowledgmentsThe author thanks Giles Barrow, Trudi Newton, and Traian Bossenmayer for their thoughts, input, and encouragement throughout the preparation of this article.Disclosure statementThe author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Additional informationFundingThe author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Notes on contributorsHaseena AbdullaHaseena Abdulla is a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) who maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and trainer in India. She is also a Certified Psychodrama Practitioner and Trainer in supervision and holds a master’s degree in sociology and psychology. Haseena can be reached at Ananth Nagar, Manipal – 576104, India; email: hasina.manipal@gmail.com.