[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Underachievement rates among those gifted children

[Mary Jennings]

Naama said:

>Certainly for research purposes, I would think that underachievement >can 
>only be defined in relation to a specific, isolable sphere of >activity 
>(e.g., academy, athletics, etc.).

But yet again, the actual *label* of underachievement is being metted out by 
people other than the labelled person him/herself.  What right does anyone 
have to do such a thing to another person?  Many people, like myself, have 
"just" a Bachelor's degree and never continued in a graduate program despite 
being capable of doing so because we *chose* not to do it.  Are we all 
underachievers?  I don't think of myself as one.  IMHO the same applies to 
gifted children who, for whatever reason, choose not to follow the path 
*laid down by others*.  Not every child gifted in math and science wants to 
be the next Stephen Hawking.  If they don't want to be, leave them alone.

If a child is left to make his own choices about his own future, then he has 
only his own expectations to live up to (granted, some set unrealistic 
self-expectations, but that's another matter).  If other people set the path 
for him, telling him he *must* do this and study that, otherwise he will not 
live up to expectation, the fall from grace if drop-out or failure does 
occur is far worse and will do much worse damage.

And let's face it, how many people have changed their study plans at least 
once? :::::waves hand wildly in the air:::::

The same goes for athletics.  A gift for swimming could result in the child 
losing nearly all spare time due to intensive training.  A social life would 
be non-existent.  I've read of parents of gifted athletic kids who've pulled 
the kids out of school so they can concentrate on their training.  What if 
the child doesn't want any of this?  What if he just wants to swim at the 
local pool with his friends in his spare time and otherwise lead an ordinary 
life?  Is that child an underachiever, or blessed with a self-realization 
that many adults would envy?

Going back to Cindy's post...having spent quite a lot of time in 
pre-schools, I'm willing to bet there are many gifted adults who wouldn't 
last half an hour in one ;)  They are not places for the faint-hearted.

Sorry if I'm sounding harsh, but I feel very strongly that kids should have 
a say in their future, and be assured that, in the end, what they do with 
their lives is ultimately their own choice.  If they make mistakes, they 
will be their own mistakes.  If they succeed to their own expectations, 
wonderful.  And, whatever choices the kids make, we respect those choices 
and reserve harsh judgement.

I'll get off my soapbox now.  I've underachieved with the housework today, 
so I'd best get on with it ;)

Mary Ann



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