Is telling kids that they can be whatever they want giving them false hope on some things?

Answer 1

No not to a certain degree.
Like the other poster mentioned if the kid has normal IQ and all then I dont see any reason they cant be anything they want.
From a professional stand point I think its good to be realistic with kids as far as what it takes to become what they want to.
I work in special education and wish people would be more upfront as to what it takes to become this or that.
In my district when a kid is in 8th grade they start doing carrer readiness and planning. If the kid is in Special Ed then this plan is implemented into thier IEP.
So there I was in an IEP one time and we got to this part and the kids says "I want to be a vet". Everyone there sat there and said "Thats great" Everyone except for me! I simply told this kid "Hey you know to go to vet school you have to work really hard and read alot of books....theres alot of science and math" This kid had some major problems with written material and in math....he knew this. He was bright in many areas, mostly hands on. So in light of what I told him he simply looked at me and said "screw that"
From there he started looking at some trades and what not. This kid now owns his own tile and bath company and in all reality probably makes more money than I do with my degree!
So did I crush his dream? No I just brought the reality of it to light!
I never told this kid he couldnt do it. I just told him what it entails and let him figure out for himself if he could do it or put that much effort into it.

Answer 2

I dont know if it gives them false hope-but i do believe its a better thing than to tell them they cant do or be something.
That being said, i really dont buy into the whole "you can be anything you want as long as you try" saying. Still yet-it is a good motivational thing to tell a kid.
But being realistic, you cant be anything you want, even if you try. Many people have tried to be president, yet it didnt work out and they never made it. Many people have tried to be doctors-went to medical school, yet just didnt have what it takes and never made it. The saying is a good thing to tell a kid, but its not realistic.

Answer 3

No. I believe it helps give them the confidence to try things out. It also gives them the freedom to explore. It removes restrictions and limitations.

I know a blind lawyer who walks to and from work daily-alone. No guide dog, no nothing.

I had a terrible stutter when I was a kid, but I wanted to work in radio-guess what? I work in radio (on air)

Telling kids they can be whatever they want, and then working with them to obtain the tools to pursue their dreams, is called parenting.

Obviously if your child has Downs Syndrome or is mentally retarded, he won't become a rocket scientist, but normal children with a reasonable IQ can become whatever they want in life. Even kids with disabilities have more options than you may think.

Answer 4

No, not at all.. if we instill this in children they will grow up knowing that if they really want something in life.. all it takes is the confidence and time of completing school and learning a trade. Telling this is an encouragement, not a false hope. Unless you take it back.. saying you can do anything you want in life.. and then later downgrading them.

Answer 5

First it is not a false hope ..unfortunately most kids dream of being a pathetic hollywood star which are mostly basket cases ...I always have told my children everything they want out of life is out there they just have to take the right road to get there.. Plus my kids do not dream of hollywood ..they know most of them are overpaid drug addicts / basket cases but as far as a good honest career , nice home , nice cars etc.. it is out their waiting for them they just have to follow the right path to go get it ..

Answer 6

Apparently not.
I know a single mom (divorced) who worked in an office at a low-paying job who told her daughter all her life that she could be whatever she wanted as long as she studied hard in school.
Today that girl is a physician.
I think that fact speaks for itself.

Answer 7

No, but I would be very clear when stating that the facts remain that they have to do all the work in order to achieve it. From the planning your way on how to, to doing it, and as they go they will also meet unexpected issues they will have to solve too. I would make it very clear to them that it is a challenge and it wont necessarily be easy.
But what fun would it be if it where easy, anyway?

Answer 8

I don't think so. I can't think of anything that would be out of the question.

My son wants to be a pro bass fisherman. He is only 16 and has already placed pretty high in tournaments. So I think whatever you want to be, there's a possibility.

Answer 9

No..because basically what you are telling them is that no matter what career they get into...you are behind them. Whether they want to become a rich actor....a teacher...well-to-do business person... a mailman. They can set their goals as high as they want and reach for the stars and if they work hard wherever they decide to stop on their 'goal' finding is up to them and as long as it makes them happy...that's all that counts.

Answer 10

My mother always told me that if I wanted something bad enough and was willing to work hard enough to get it I could have it. I believe that and I tell my kids the same thing.