The next word that popped into my head was "teenager," because arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, and unethical describes an awful lot of teenagers.
That's a very good point! I'm really hoping that he grows out of it but unfortunately it seems to be a pretty deep-rooted thing. It's tough when you try to tell them that what they're doing is wrong when:
a) they get defensive / pretend to understand so that you'll stop talking about it,
b) you're trying not to impose views on them or insist on "helping" them (implying that you know more than they do), you know?
Your point about the siblings is true as well but I was thinking more along the lines of having siblings that actually "get along". Ones that are close or have equal footing (which does happen!) Even if they did argue as siblings do, I still think that having another gifted individual around would:
a) have the gifted child grow up knowing that he is not the only one who thinks that way (which doesn't mean he'll feel more accepted, but at least he will not feel alone),
b) someone to challenge his views and to show him that he is not always right (because I find often that other gifted children who think alike will enjoy a lengthy "argument"/discussion about, say, ethics, while non-gifted teens tend to lose interest in the topic more quickly).
I realize that this may come off as extremely condescending or like I think I know everything about gifted teens, but I assure you that I don't. I just know that I've grown up in an extremely supportive environment and would have liked that for him as well. I truly, honestly, genuinely, just KNOW that he is so pure-hearted on the inside, but I'm starting to realize after months of frustration that he won't change unless he wants to, and there's nothing I can do about it. It just seems a shame.
-Venn
