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    Joined: May 2009
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    BBC Article on the Causes of Michael Jackson's Mental Issues

    Quote
    Accelerated mental development, for example, slows down social and mental growth and the result can be a lop-sided and maladjusted individual.

    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

    Quote
    Profiles of the two SMPY groups show them to be well adjusted and interpersonally effective. The generally high scores of the SMPY group members, compared with those of the random eighth-grade sample, indicate that the gifted radical accelerants and nonaccelerants are mature, academically advanced, and interpersonally effective.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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...

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    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

    Last edited by So Passé!; 06/29/09 09:15 AM.
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    My opinion of that site is that it ranks only slightly ahead of the National Enquirer as a source of reputable news.

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    Originally Posted by So Pass�!
    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

    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.

    Last edited by no5no5; 06/29/09 09:55 AM.
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    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

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    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'?

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    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. grin

    In the very long message that I sent them (whistle) , 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. smile

    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.

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    Originally Posted by So Pass�!
    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.

    Awesome. smile I'm very glad someone is doing this. I do think it is important work, and I agree that the sentence is inappropriate and misleading.

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    Well, you're right......many of us are parents and a little older than you! wink

    However, this is place for discussion on all things gifted, especially HG/EG/PG.

    It sure seems like a place that you should feel comfortable, if you can put up with us old farts!!

    When I was in high school I was doing similar things and I appreciate your energy and intentions!

    Neato

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    I love everyone here! You are all so sweet. <333

    Last edited by So Passé!; 06/30/09 01:08 AM.
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    Quote
    My opinion of that site is that it ranks only slightly ahead of the National Enquirer as a source of reputable news.

    I agree!!

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    I am beyond happy! I made a real, (semi) tangible change in the world.

    Read my below letter to the BBC
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Original Message:
    From: [my email]
    Sent: 29 June 2009 17:49
    To: NewsOnline Complaints
    Subject: Complaint Reply Required

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8121599.stm

    In this article, the following is written: "Accelerated mental development, for example, slows down social and mental growth and the result can be a lop-sided and maladjusted individual."

    The view that highly advanced mental abilities stunt social growth is contested by the Gifted and Talented community. As shown here (and in other studies):

    "Profiles of the two SMPY groups show them to be well adjusted and interpersonally effective. The generally high scores of the SMPY group members, compared with those of the random eighth-grade sample, indicate that the gifted radical accelerants and nonaccelerants are mature, academically advanced, and interpersonally effective."

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

    While famous educational psychologist Leta Hollingworth did find that those with IQs three and two-thirds standard deviations above the norm did encounter some social difficulties, very few people have such high IQs and, even then, not all encountered these difficulties. This does not substantiate the usage of "slows" unqualified, as if, in every case of extremely high intelligence, the result is an individual with underdeveloped social skills.

    It is true, however, that accelerated mental development often leads to slowed mental growth, as those possessing advanced mental abilities are often understimulated and unaccommodated in a regular or unaccelerated school environment.

    Even this does not justify the rather extreme prognosis of a "lop-sided and maladjusted individual" that the article profiles the gifted as. While there have been cases where an individual's extreme academic preciosity resulted in the described unfortunate end, these cases are rare. Of course, there are indeed many who have been wounded by society's ever-present, but painfully latent, command to mental uniformity. However, "lop-sided" is too strong a word to describe these occurrences, connotating mental instability. [In the "heat of the moment," I just attacked whatever annoyed me in the quote, but I now realize that the crucial "can" in the quote kind of summarizes this whole paragraph. Whoops! :)]

    Thank you for your time!

    [my real name]
    -----------------------------------------------------------------
    From: bbc.co.uk
    To: [my email]

    Dear Mr [my last name]

    Thanks for your e-mail.

    The sentence which you quoted was the view put forward by psychologist Peter Congdon.

    It was not the intention to give the impression that this was presented as fact by the BBC, and in light of that possible confusion, it has been attributed more clearly to Mr Congdon, with the addition of the word "can".

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8121599.stm

    I hope this addresses your concern.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    Indeed it does, BBC. Indeed it does.

    Last edited by So Passé!; 07/01/09 05:02 PM.
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    You rock!!!!!!!!!!

    Congrats on making a difference!

    YOU are certainly NOT passe!!!

    Neato

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    Wow - that's awesome that they listened and made the change. How cool! I am inspired to send my comments the next time I catch a misinterpretation or error. Kudos!

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    That's great! Good for you for reporting it. And good for them for fixing it.

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