I grew up in a family of five children. The older four of us all were born in a span of six years. So yes, at one point my parents had to deal with 4 teenagers. Bless their hearts. Daniel J. Siegel gives us a new perspective on the years of adolescence. There is a social stigma about teenagers nowadays in society saying they are "lazy," "out of control," "moody," or "just going through a phase." Siegel seeks to break that stigma in his book Brainstorm.
He talks first about the three main myths that people believe about teenagers. First, that their raging hormones cause them to be the way they are. Second, that adolescent years are simply a time of immaturity. Third, that during the time of adolescence teens must stop depending on their parents and become independent. Growing up and hearing other talk about teenagers, these myths are a common way of thinking. I appreciate how Siegel uses science to back up his argument but also makes it personal as he is raising two adolescent boys.
He gives us a positive image on the stage of adolescence. While others view it as a time of immaturity he finds the beauty in their curiosity and emotional intensity. Because the brain is developing so fast emotions run so high. This can bring many tears, but also bring so much joy of life. One of my sister just turned 15. When he talks about the way people interact with adolescence, I am able to see this even in my sister. She has teachers that treat her like she is 12. Other teachers she has treat her like she is a mature adult, and she does better in those classes. I find this so interesting because he gives us positive insight to what teens can bring to the world contrary to what the majority of society thinks of teenagers.
I appreciate your post Abby! I understand where your sister is coming from. Even in college I feel like we are being treated like we are twelve at some points. I like how you pointed out that Siegel gives a different point and view on how adolescents aren't just lazy and out of control. The brain is always developing!
ReplyDeleteI feel for your sister because Siegel has made us aware of how our peers, including professionals such as teachers, have down played the role of teenagers throughout our society. Treating them like 12 year olds is going to reflect on the outcome of their education as well as the rest of their daily living choices and decisions. If a teacher treats a kid who's unintelligent as they were intelligent, chances are they are going to be successfully impacted by that and learn more than they could ever have if they were just always labeled as unintelligent. It's like Thomas Edison and the story of his mother taking him out of school because the school he attended wrote a letter saying he was not smart enough to be in classes anymore. Instead of telling Thomas that same exact thing, she said she was taking Thomas out of school because he was too much of a genius to be in school with the rest of his classmates... look how much of an effect that had on him. He's created more things that I know. Good post!
ReplyDeleteYes in some ways I hear you talking about self-fulfilling prophesy and how teens respond and behave in ways that align with what they think others believe to be true about them. Bless your parents for having raised kids so close in age :)
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