Preventive System

The Preventive system is based entirely on Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness. Instead of constraint, it appeals to young people’s resources of intelligence, their desire for spirituality and their need for kindness. It brings together educators and youngsters in a family atmosphere of trust and dialogue. It represents the heart of the prophetic message that Don Bosco left to his followers. It is a congenial, friendly and holistic approach to education that develops the whole person - body, heart, mind and spirit.

It knows how to draw out the giftedness in the young person through encouraging self-expression and the desire to opt for goodness and truth.

Reason

The use of Reason emphasises basic human values. It requires that we respect the dignity of every young person, the beauty of creation, cultural differences, the value of work balanced by relaxation and the need for socialization. Reason is a human project that gives life through the formal and non-formal education young people receive.
Reason also involves the ability to understand young people and to enter into relationship with them as well as to dialogue and communicate with them. By first entering into their world, understanding their values and appreciating them, the educator can then lead them to a greater and more mature appreciation of human and christian values.

Religion

While reason refers to human activity and human relationships, the term religion indicates connectedness to the transcendental, i.e. orientation towards God. Don Bosco did not make sharp distinctions between the sacred and the profane, but he believed that a life plan cannot be fulfilled without faith in God. To this end, he emphasised the grace of the sacraments, particularly those of reconciliation and eucharist. The journey to holiness, he says, is none other than carrying out to the best of our ability our ordinary duties as a Christian and a citizen. For Don Bosco, citizenship and christianity went together and so he aimed at forming good, honest citizens.

Loving-Kindness

Loving kindness is an attitude that has the good of young people at heart. Through this approach, the young recognise their giftedness as they grow to independence.
Real love challenges and so the educator is present in the midst of the young to affirm them and help them to overcome character defects by using a gentle firm approach.

Loving kindness is generated in an environment where young people are made to feel at home. In a family atmosphere they can be themselves. For this to happen, there needs to be a range of joyful activities in the non-formal educational setup.

Loving kindness calls for the educator’s ability to be attentive to the hopes, fears and anxieties of young people. It means being able to discern their needs and the means by which they can be helped to make a meaningful contribution to society and the church.

 

Conclusion

The Preventive System is a gift to share. It benefits not only young people who come through the system but their educators as well. Through enabling young persons to reach the fullness of life, they, themselves arrive at that same integral growth.