Part of the cynicism exceptionally gifted children feel stems from viewing themselves as thinking adults who see the weaknesses of adults. A resistance to learn from adults may then ensue with a resulting need to maintain autonomy these children are thus in the dilemma of resenting treatment like a child and their necessary dependency on adults. They often defend themselves against the world and feel that they are the only ones capable of doing so [Roeper, 1984]. At least one parent is very likely gifted, capable, and accessible. Therefore, parents are the most probable source of essential trust, acceptance, and understanding of their child.
This was in that article I just linked to. I wanted to say something like this earlier in this thread, but not so elogently. I was going to say it's like my kid looks like he's having fun pretending to be a kid, but not even he believes it. But I thought that was too weird to say. The point was-maybe that's why there's the stubborn defiance that really isnt "bad" but still isn't ok because it causes problems IRL.
This is part of the root of the stubborn perfectionist gifted problem, I think.
