Forgiveness as a gift in familiar educational relationship

Abstract

“For-giveness” is a specific kind of gift. The “for” prefix refers to fullness and plenitude: for-giveness is thus a complete, fully realized gift. When the possibility of forgiveness is lacking, parents-children caring relationships may break down just when they are most needed. Any caring relationship unable to recover from a wrong, will be prone to being sucked in a vortex of emotional counterpositions. Eventually, the trust pact – indispensable for parents to be able to play their role in youth’s development and growth – may fall apart. The regenerative power of forgiveness induces a change in both the forgiver and the forgiven. Forgiveness expresses a transformative force which newly shapes the educational relationship, opening the way to hope. Of course this process reaching maturity takes time, and it needs to be accompanied by appropriate educational action.