Carl Rogers, in the 1950s, defined some core conditions necessary for restorative justice to work.
Rogers’ thesis was “in order to develop a healthy self-concept, we need to experience three core conditions in our relationship with those around us.” Richard Hendry, in his book “Building and Restoring Respectful Relationships in Schools,” identifies the three core conditions as empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence.
Rogers asks the questions “Why do these core conditions matter? How can children learn to understand how someone else feels – to be empathic – if they do not experience empathy from others?
How can children learn to value themselves and others as unique individuals if we cannot value them for who they truly are? How can we ask children to be honest and open with us if we are not offering them an honest reflection of who we are, what we think and how we feel?”
