Commitment vs. Compliance

“Little boxes all the same.
There's a green one and a pink one 
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.” http://www.wku.edu/~smithch/MALVINA/mr094.htm words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1962 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1990.

As far back as toddler age, I remember having compliance issues. We had to follow family rules; we had to hug and kiss all family members (even the smelly ones, or the mustached ones (like Aunt Minnie), say please and thank you (even if I didn’t feel grateful).

As we got a bit older we had to color in the lines, stay focused, remain calm, never show too much emotion…you wouldn’t want anyone to know what you were really thinking!

Compliance verses Commitment… Compliance, does it always have to be negative? When does commitment come in?

Do you remember being told you HAD to take piano, swim or soccer classes? My parents forced me to take swim lessons in compliance for us to get a swimming pool in our back yard. I found that I actually liked swimming and became an instructor, life-guard, synchronized swimmer, diver, and competitive swimmer. In this case Compliance became Commitment.

In general terms, compliance can be defined as conforming or accepting a specific, standard or law that has been clearly defined. Commitment can be considered dedication or devotion to something you choose. So, I have to ask if compliance is a concern, can it still be a valid, valuable part of an educators growth?