Happiness, according to Neill, means being interested in life or as I would put it, responding to life not just with one’s brain but with one’s whole personality. The aim of education-in fact the aim of life-is to work joyfully and to find happiness. Neill maintains a firm faith “in the goodness of the child.” He believes that the average child is not born a cripple, a coward, or a soulless automaton, but has full potentialities to love life and to be interested in life. The author contends that “freedom works.” The principles underlying Neill’s system are presented in this book simply and unequivocally. Summerhill does not expound a theory it relates the actual experience of almost 40 years. In Summerhill School authority does not mask a system of manipulation. In my opinion, his book is of great importance because it represents the true principle of education without fear. Neill’s system is a radical approach to child rearing.
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