Quote:
Originally Posted by papill0n
No they would think it was a 'different' apple. Why would they think it was 'wrong' ?
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I'll have to agree with Sly on this one. It's not true in very case mind you, but many many kids do seem to instinctually be wary even to the point of aversion of certain things or iin this case people that are different or unfamiliar.
Case in point: When I was a little kid (like maybe 3-to-4 yrs old) I recall a particular day when a bunch of us kids were playing tag or some such game in a neighbor's yard. This one kid I'd never seen before that day was playing and he was deaf and mute. He didn't look different than anyone else, he just acted different. He
was different, to the rest of us.
Now, I'm not sure what made me do it that day. It could be he was getting special attention or simply that he was 'different' than the rest of us, I'm not sure, but at some point I up and slapped him across the face. ("TAG...you're IT!") I remember at the time thinking everyone else would think it was a good thing I did, slapping the "dumb" kid. But in fact as it turned out it was a bad thing, and everyone present was angry that I did it, and quite disgusted with my behavior. My older sister was absolutely outraged.
I'll never forget the look on that kid's face either. He didn't cry exactly, but just touched his cheek with his hand as he looked at me questioningly, hurt obviously, his expression basically saying "why did you do that? I just wanted to be friends".
I tell you I instantly became ashamed of what I had done, and will never forget the look on that kid's face and the hurt I had caused. I certainly didn't learn it from my parents, but I did learn
from it. I can't say for certain but I very likely got a spanking later on from the old man. If I did I don't remember it, but I do remember that kid and will never forget the lesson I learned that day. That being --- wait until you get them alone, then go in for the kill. :D ... kidding. I definitely became someone who sticks up for people like that kid rather than one who throws ridicule and violence at them.
As Sly said, it's "a kid" thing. Not in every kid, but in many. It's either fostered and encouraged and reinforced by one's family or it's frowned upon and hopefully the kid learns from it, as I did.