Child is the guest asking the way-(Imported Edition)-(Imported Edition)

Author: Irina Prekop
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The Disappearing Image
When children hear from a young age: "That's our fool," "He's a waste of food," "You're the clown in our family," "You have two left hands," "You've never done anything useful," such impressions will stick to them like tar in their gradually forming self-image. This "internalization of images" will follow them into adulthood, intentionally or unintentionally. Similarly, there are those that sound a bit softer: "She looks like a princess," "You're our prince," "Well, you're a kind soul," "People can always trust you," "You're practically a grandfather." These words also leave a lasting impression on children. Who wouldn't accept this internalization of images, brief introductions, prejudices, and judgments in their hearts, as these tasks are considered duties. Breaking free from this imposed personal impression is exhausting, and children often lack the strength for it. It requires the power of a negative image and active ability. When the facts conflict with the positive image or suddenly clash, it also takes effort. For example, when people realize in school that they aren't the best, or that other children don't recognize the princess as they had long believed. The inherent images revealed in these words make it difficult to discern a child's good or bad personality traits. Moreover, the unspoken information also leaves a deep imprint on children: "He's a bit special," "One day, he'll take over the company from his grandfather," "This will definitely dictate everyone's fate." Behind these expectations often lie the unfulfilled life ambitions of the parents, which they project onto their children, but this is not the child's own imagination. Thus, children will ultimately live in their parents' world, not the one they envision for themselves, and cannot live according to their own desires for the world. Although children know their duties and understand that they don't mean much, these preset tasks hinder them from discovering and searching for themselves. These prejudices profoundly influence a child's entire life, especially evident during the enchanting pre-school years. At this time, children find it hardest to distinguish these prejudices from their surroundings. The worst outcome people can inflict on a child is to no longer trust them to walk their own path. P36-37