I agree, schools should totally provide a better emotional education. My hypothesis on why they don't is twofold: 1) too few people in charge who actually have the proper emotional maturity (and thus the vision and the capacity to teach healthy relating), 2) teaching children what abuse vs. healthy relationships look like would lead to a huge number of them realizing that their caretakers, teachers, bosses, etc. are in fact abusive (emotionally, at the very least), and this would create huge problems for the larger system.

Not to mention how many politicians run on toxic/abusive communication tactics, and they certainly don't want us becoming empowered enough to see through them, do they? ;)

I really wish there were a way to equip more young people (well, people of all ages, really) with examples for healthy relating. Unfortunately, for now, it seems all we can really do is just share our stories on the platforms we have, and otherwise do the quiet work one-on-one with the people in our own circles. But I'll get off my soapbox about emotional intelligence now — it's one of my passions, so I have lots to say. ;) I'll just close by thanking you for your kind words about this essay, and I'm very happy that it spoke to you so deeply. 💜