The relationship between families and schools has never been more prominent in the Brazilian educational debate. The topic was the focus of the episode of Conexão Bettepisode, which featured Bete Rodrigues, director and educational consultant at Disciplina Positiva Brasil, for a conversation about the impacts of positive parenting, the challenges in the relationship between families and schools, and aspects of the Positive Parenting Act, enacted in 2024.

For Bete, the progress of this debate is directly linked to society’s growing concern about the upbringing of the younger generations. According to her, warning signs appear daily in the news, on social media, and even in audiovisual productions that depict situations once far removed from childhood and adolescence, such as cases of extreme aggression, emotional distress, and suicide.

“Today, the whole world is watching to see what kind of adults we are raising,” id. According to the expert, the healthy development of children and young people cannot be attributed solely to families or schools. “Education is a collective responsibility of society.”

She explains that the concept of parental education refers precisely to training fathers, mothers, and guardians to approach child-rearing in a more mindful and balanced way. Although the topic is well-established in many countries, in Brazil the discussion has gained momentum more recently, accompanied by a rise in the number of professionals specializing in parental guidance.

In the educator’s view, one of the factors that accelerated this trend was the realization that raising children requires continuous learning. “In the past, people believed that you didn’t need to study to be a parent. Today, parents understand that we live in a much more complex world,” she noted.

In this regard, Bete emphasizes the importance of seeking qualified guidance and more respectful educational practices. She advocates for an education based on a balance between setting boundaries and providing support, steering clear of both authoritarian and permissive approaches. The goal is to raise citizens who are more aware, empathetic, and prepared to face the social challenges of the future.

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Challenges in the Relationship Between School and Family

Although the importance of this partnership is widely recognized, the relationship between schools and families still faces significant obstacles. For Bete, one of the main problems is the lack of effective communication between the two sides.

She notes that both parents and educators lead exhausting lives, which makes it difficult to create more consistent opportunities for dialogue. Even so, she believes it is essential for both groups to gain a better understanding of each other’s realities.

“Fathers and mothers need to understand educational issues a little better, while education professionals also need to better understand the context of families,” he explained.

Among the examples she cited are the recurring conflicts in school WhatsApp groups, where complaints and judgments often replace direct conversations with coordinators, counselors, or school administrators. The focus should be less on assigning blame and more on working together to find solutions.

Following this line of reasoning, she also criticizes traditional models of school meetings that focus exclusively on grades and academic performance. According to Bete, these meetings could serve as broader opportunities to understand students’ emotional and family contexts, allowing schools and parents to work together in a coordinated manner to address everyday challenges.

A law that promotes prevention and collective responsibility

Commenting on the Positive Parenting Act, Bete Rodrigues described the initiative as an important milestone for the country. In her view, the legislation officially recognizes the need to support families in building healthier relationships with children and adolescents.

According to the educator, the proposed law does not mean an absence of limits, but rather the adoption of nonviolent, respectful, and balanced educational practices. “We’re talking about an education that combines firmness and kindness,” she summarized.

Another point she highlighted is the preventive nature of the legislation. The law aims to reduce incidents of domestic violence through guidance, awareness-raising, and the strengthening of family bonds, involving the federal government, states, municipalities, and society as a whole in this process.

In her closing remarks, Bete Rodrigues emphasized that educating children and adolescents is a collective effort and that no one needs to face this challenge alone. “We can all develop new skills and help build a less violent, more respectful, and harmonious society,” she said.

For her, preparing the next generations goes beyond academic performance. It means raising children who are creative, emotionally healthy, and capable of tackling problems that don’t even exist yet. “We don’t know what the professions of the future will be or what challenges lie ahead. We need to prepare today’s children to build a better world tomorrow,” she concluded.

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