Emotional Literacy

Emotional Literacy

What is emotional literacy?

During the past decade the phrase “emotional literacy” has entered our culture’s vocabulary. Daniel Goleman’s best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, (Bantam, 1995), has brought this critically important issue into the national consciousness. New research has indicated that emotional literacy is a key factor predicting success or failure in all aspects of human relationships – work, family, friendships – and in the well-being and optimism that is the consequence of self-esteem.

So what is emotional literacy? Emotional literacy is the ability to identify, manage, and express one’s emotions in a mature and conscientious manner. With this ability comes the capacity to empathize with the feelings of others.

The cost of emotional illiteracy is staggering… abusive behavior toward others or oneself; high levels of frustration, anger, sadness, and personal suffering; inept parenting, addictions of all sorts, and much physical dis-ease. Emotional illiteracy is a pivotal factor underlying most crime. One of the clear indicators of emotional illiteracy among youth is the increased violence in American schools.

The good news is that emotional literacy skills can be learned at any time in life. Becoming emotionally literate results in the ability to read one’s own feelings as well as the feelings of others. When people develop emotional literacy skills, they are better able to identify, express, and manage their feelings. There are greater options for effectively dealing with stress and tension. There is greater impulse control. There is heightened self-awareness and self-understanding. Social skills and the ability to communicate effectively are enhanced. Consequently, behaviors and attitudes that arise from emotional literacy support and reflect self-esteem, empathy, and appropriate action in the world.

The cultivation of emotional literacy nurtures and elicits the best in people. Knowing this, it surely makes good sense to offer the necessary resources to support emotional literacy for every prisoner, youth-at-risk and young parent. In fact, most adults and all children can significantly benefit from the heightened emotional competence gained through specific education in this domain.

Furthermore, if we truly want public safety, we must make emotional literacy a national priority. The National Emotional Literacy Projects for Prisoners and Youth-at-Risk offer unique, accessible, and powerful resources toward this end.

“I personally witnessed men, who like myself, were empowered to open up and begin a profound healing process on the emotional level. I’ve witnessed men who, after years of being locked in by denial and shame receive the empowerment needed to deal with highly charged issues… [Houses of Healing] is not only ‘cure’, but is also ‘prevention’.” —Michael, Donaldson Correctional Facility Bessemer, Al


“Before, I felt like I was being disrespected by everyone who crossed my path, but now after reading this book [Power Source] I know that you have control of you—no one else does unless you allow them to. I took a long look at myself, I’m still not perfect, but I have a whole new outlook.”
—Kenyata, Youthful Offender Program


For more information on Emotional Literacy, read Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, by Daniel Goleman (Bantam Books © 1995).