Methodology

The AKOR method rests on the solid foundation of Action research and universal theory.

It offers a structured and participatory approach to educating parents and strengthening communities.

  • The acronym AKOR is derived from the Haitian Creole words
    "Ankourajman, Konsekans, Onè, Respè."

    In English EnCHoR :
    ‍ ‍“Encouragement, Consequences, Honor, and Respect”

    They represent the basic principles of the method: "the four legs of the chair that we must lean on to educate our children".

    The program has the potential of preventing child abuse and its disastrous consequences for the family.

    It engages participants in a variety of structured activities that

    • Celebrate the positive aspects of their parenting culture

    • Question parenting practices inherited from a history of domination, such as whipping and humiliation

    • Teach new concepts and strategies to help the parents succeed in their mission

    The experience is highly interactive. It includes

    • Presentations with the support of visual and/or audio-visual materials

    • Role-plays leading participants to live the AKOR principles in the here in now

    • Group discussions

    • Sharing of participant’s experience

    • Meditations that bring closure to the sessions

    Workshops may be delivered

    • In a variety of formats from a single introductory session to a 12-hour workshop

    • To publics of multicultural backgrounds due to its grounding in universal theory

  • This AKOR program has the potential to prevent child abuse and rehabilitate parents who have perpetrated such abuse. Ideally, those who have lost custody of their children as a result of judicial system intervention can regain custody after receiving the AKOR training.

    The transformation of relationships in the family has the potential of generating social change: When we improve relationships in our families, we improve relationships in our communities, and in our country. We create a model of relationships for future generations.

  • The program is inspired by the philosophical teachings of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs that have greatly influenced the parenting ideas of our time. Adler introduced the idea that human beings strive to achieve social significance. He explained misbehavior as mistaken goals by which we achieve social significance. The four goals of misbehaviors are: discouragement, power, revenge, and the pursuit of attention. He suggested that parents make children aware of what they try to achieve and redirect their behaviors.

    The four pilars of the AKOR program represent the counterpoint of Adler’s theory. The focus is shifted from responsive to proactive:

    ·         From displays of discouragement to encouragement,

    ·         From the pursuit of negative attention to honoring children with positive attention

    ·         From revenge when they feel hurt to the administration of just consequences

    ·         From expressions of power to the practice of respect with choices and responsibilities

    • Is a qualitative approach to scientific research

    • Develops solutions to a problem rather than proving a hypothesis

    • Engages educators in an inquiry on their learners’ environment to develop their own methods and teaching strategies

    The research study titled “Adlerian Parenting in Little Haiti, an Action Research” looks at the process of adaptation of Haitian parents who migrate to the United States through an analysis of the stories they share in a series of group interventions. It proposes a parenting education method that is culturally and linguistically sensitive.

    The research was presented by the author to the Union institute for the obtention of a doctorate degree.

  • New materials undergo a process of systematic review and experimentation:

    • Our team of experts analyzes the content. They meet to discuss its cultural relevance and applicability for a general audience.

    • Materials are experimented on the field and evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative measures.

    • They are then utilized and reviewed until they meet high standards of quality and efficiency.