Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy More Discrimination Based on Giftedness

BBC Article on the Causes of Michael Jackson's Mental Issues


Sigh. It has been shown that the opposite is (generally) true, particularly in the mathematically gifted, as shown in the below article:

http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10017.aspx

Hmmmm... I don't think that article is talking about 'gifted' in the sense of intelligence but more as obtaining a skill or talent that sets them apart such as athletes, actors, and singers (like Michael Jackson). And the issue they talk about is parents' involvement in ensuring the dream is meet: the pushing factor. Now the pushing factor is an issue for any form of 'gifted' be it intelligence or talent in another form. As for intellect, it happens all the time. An above average child is pushed to keep above the curve in hopes that they will be identified as gifted. There are many reasons for this pushing, but the main one is usually a status for the parents.

Send a comment to the BBC and express your feelings about their article. I did.
As Katelyn'sMom said, it was mainly about the pushy parents and I mentioned that the majority of us are not that way, and that they could have worded it differently to make that point more clearly.

I agree with Katelyn's Mom. The original article might mean that he was pushed into a situation where he was forced to "grow up" sooner than what the natural course would take. That happens a lot, we see lots of parents pushing kids beyond what they can handle. The harm will be more visible in the long term than in the short term...

I was actually referring solely to the quote as discriminatory, providing the link for some context. Although, as you all pointed out, the "pushy parent trying to live out their dreams through their child" angle of the story also perpetuates a stereotype.

I should have been more clear. Sorry!

Here is the link of the BBC's contact form. If you feel that the article is discriminatory or perpetuates stereotypes, write-in!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/make_complaint_step1n.shtml

My opinion of that site is that it ranks only slightly ahead of the National Enquirer as a source of reputable news.

I think the quote is certainly misleading, but I don't get how it is discriminatory. I agree with the posters who said that this is likely just a poorly-worded statement about trying to force kids to grow up too quickly, and how that can backfire, rather than a statement about giftedness or gifted people.

So Passe,

Your blog is incredible, loved reading your thoughts.

You will see that with time people will soon appreciate your perspective and what you have to say......keep sayin' it sister!!

Best,
Neato

Yes, the writer (or editor) goes a bit far by having that statement right below the quoted text from a psychologist. It just pulls one into thinking this is the next statement from the psychologist, which may not be the case.

OhG - I have not thought of BBC as being so 'flagrant', has that been your experience? Or is it just this 'uk magazine'?

Thank you incogneto! That means so much!

I had the same thought as you Chris; I was just a bit lazy and didn't type it.

In the very long message that I sent them () , I didn't want to give them the option of saying the quote came from the psychologist when, in fact, it was the journalist's words, so I left that concern out. If the quote did, in fact, come from the psychologist, they will just correct me.

It seems that many of you (rightly) feel that I am making a big deal out of just one sentence, but in the feminist community, this is standard procedure. Someone posts up an article with an offensive sentence, people complain to the source, and finally, everyone gives themselves a pat on the back for being such good feminists.

It seems that the Gifted Advocacy community is a little less neurotic and self-serving.

Also, I'm a high school student in summer with no job or children to take of, which many of you do, so I have time to complain about single sentences in articles. I have already sent several letters to newspapers for confusing gender identity with biological sex and even one to Obama for good measure.