On Thursday, I was doing my AP Psychology homework when I read a study about how learned helplessness can persist even in the face of contradictory information. In case you don’t know, learned helplessness is when someone (or something) learns that they cannot change something through their actions. An example is a child thinking they can’t open a cabinet because their parents told them they’re not able to so the child relies on their parents.
Learning about learned helplessness really made me think about parenting and how parents can influence a child’s mindset. Parents can teach their children that with hard work almost anything is possible or they can teach their children that they will only get so far without luck. The second child will grow up believing that they will only get so far, even if they’re shown that they can go farther.
That is exactly why I believe that no one should have expectations for children, especially young children. Sure, someone who’s only going to be 5’1 won’t make it to the NBA, but who says they can’t try basketball? Everyone should be told to try everything so they learn everything can be possible. Children should have structure and be forced to try at least a few things, but their curiosity and desire to explore new things should not be discouraged.
Now, I know not everything can be possible, but everything can be attempted. My parents always told me to just try and to stick things through, and now I believe that I can do almost anything if I work hard enough.
But failure is inevitable whether we like it or not; not everything can work out. So when something eventually fails, we should teach children to learn from their failure instead of believing that it’s a reason not to try. It is infinitely easier to believe you are inadequate than to see your full potential. People need to learn how to see themselves for what they can be and understand that everything is still possible even when you fail.
Until next time,
Ella Greene
