Born or made?
Had this really heated argument with friends here yesterday.
Perspective #1: All kids are born with innate intelligence. It is how life and circumstances enable them to apply what they were born with that creates geniuses and super-intelligent kids – ie, everyone has the ability to ‘shine’ but only some are given the circumstances that enable them to do so.
Perspective #2: Only some kids are born with the ability to be highly intelligent and to do well academically and otherwise. That is why not all kids are bright and superachievers because they don't have that ability .
Three of us screamed like banshees for 5 minutes, trying to convince each other that our perspective was the right one. The fourth one was waiting for the right time to make her point. After 5 minutes, we all had to split to complete various other chores at home. So the debate was inconclusive. Just as well, as otherwise, being mature, intelligent women, we might have come to blows;-)
Now, which one is the right perspective?
8 comments:
I think Perspective 2 is probably closer to the truth - now before you turn banshee on me, let me say that not all kids are meant for academic glory. Some of them probably have other talents, but those not always discovered or nurtured because of lack of money to explore alternatives to the norm - also the pressure of having to conform, having to make a life as an adult and so on.
Hey Shyam, but you’re saying the exact same thing as number 1 (and yes, that was my perspective, good guess on your part). My take was that everybody has all these innate talents but only a few are lucky enough to tap it. And many kids have talents in different spheres but these are not appreciated or recognised as they are things that are not mainstream (like good grades, etc). The second perspective is that only some kids have that talent to begin with, which I most certainly dont agree with.
How's Seattle? No jet lag? Say hello to the family from me.
Hi Papji..
My take is #1.. all kids have it innately. But I'd say that only for general academics. For other things (specific talents/skills) I think it's #2. Only some have it. For example, only some people have that creativity and imagination, and hand skills to be good artists,... others even if exposed to all this at a young age, may never do it well.
I have to think about this though.. my mind is all muddled up and I actually got thinking much more while typing the comment.
-Vidya
Vid: yes, of course, not everyone can be good at everything, but that does not mean those who dont do well academically are duds.
What?! Didnt mean to say those not doing academically well are duds!!
Just said that -
1) Intelligence in the academic sense seems to be innate and same in all kids at birth, but only few kids grown up to become einsteins, because they're given opportunities to develop the right way.
2) Talents/skills - seem to be 'born'. Example graceful dancers etc.. they have it, and have always had it.. you can't 'teach' someone that, I feel.
Did that clarify?
-Vidya
V:yes, i didnt mean taht u said they are duds. that is the sort of direction in which our conversation/argument was heading;-)
it's a bit of both. like some kids take to reading so easily, while others are great at numbers, and a few others are just wonderful with colours. there is always something to work on, work with, encourage. the failures are always that of the parents and the school -- they all want little geniuses who ace maths and science!
My 2 cents: Kids are born with various abilities -- academic, arts, sports, etc -- in various proportions. The ones with greater academic abilities are lucky in that the society gives them high regard.
Parents can nurture or ruin kids but they cannot alter their innate ability, however much they may try. This explains why sometimes kids from 'good' homes turn out to be 'bad' students while some kids of uneducated parents turn out to be academically brilliant. You may attend any number of paattu/dance classes, but unless you have that something in you, you cannot shine.
Post a Comment