Why do smart people insist on hiding their gift?

Question

Being 13, one of the biggest things that I have noticed in Public Middle School is that many kids whom are gifted with mental ability (Honors classes, GT classes, etc) do not wish to use their gift. Apparently, being stupid makes them cooler?

Has the United States come down to hiding natural talents just to fit into with the vast majority whom are not as gifted?

I'm not saying the vast majority is stupid, I'm saying that there are smarter people whom try to "act" or even "be" stupid to
"fit in".

It may sound crazy to some of you who are not currently in middle school (Most of you) but it's happening. I myself even found myself becoming a victim of this. People would make fun of me for getting As on tests, and I decided I had to stop. Then I realized - Suceeding in school does not make me any less of a person at all.

I realized that being smart does not make you a "Geek" or a "Nerd" (not that I was ever called that)

Why do kids hide their talent? Opinions?

Also, I think that I am really in a unique position, because I'm smart, but noone would dare pick on me... I have the body of a Bully and a mind of a Nerd. I'm not afraid to speak out against something I think is wrong, and will never be. My teachers know me as the one who is always "Challenging" them, however I personally think that through debating and asking questions, it's the best way to learn...

Answer 1

smart people have gifts?!, I want a gift!!!!
I've been cheated!

Answer 2

Although I'm a lot older, I understand what you're talking about. I see it as a dumbing down of the school system, never mind the advanced programs. Beyond that few schools make any real effort to recognize and encourage smart students to use their gifts. There is also the tv/movie influence on public opinion, that intelligence, and the little quirks that sometimes develop, somehow makes one a social outcast. What is forgotten by the general public is that intelligence is a good thing.

I was one of the smart kids, even starting school early. Fortunately at that time, the school system made the effort to put us smart kids in an accelerated program, so we could learn at a pace which suited us better. When we were in mixed classes we were encouraged to be tutors for other students, since we could translate the concepts to ideas they could work with. The result was everyone did better in class. Plus, we 'smart kids' did not have to hide our abilities, but learned how to use them for the benefit of others.

So make being smart your trademark, not to show off, but simply because that's who you are. Remember you don't have to set your intelligence aside to be a fun person to be with.

Answer 3

Kids hide or deny their talents because they want to fit in. They don't have the life experience to realize that when you get a gift, you take advantage of it. It's hard to be young with so much to learn and without the mature confidence to be a bit different. You realize that and wonder why they don't. Because you have the maturity and sensitivity to think it over and make a good choice. You have checked yourself out and not let others push you into the pack but stood out and that makes you a leader. Smart people will flock to you as well as the pack. The pack always tries to pull people down to their level for whatever reason. Always be yourself and (it's corny) be all you can be. Those A's will help you with your future. You be sure to go as far as you can in college but don't forget all the extra curricular and worldly stuff so you can go everywhere with anybody and do everything. But I got a hunch you can figure that out for yourself. So good luck. . .

Answer 4

I don't think that they think being stupid makes them cooler. But I think that they think being the center of attention makes them cool. They act out and are really stupid because they want people to notice them and talk about them and they just want the attention.

Most people don't realize what they are capable of. Thats why so many people don't "use their gift". They don't realize they have one! So therefore they aren't trying to hide there talent.. they just need to discover first so that they can learn to apply it.

Ignore people who make fun of you for getting good grades and such. You'll end up wealthy with a great career and they'll end up being the garbage man that picks up your trash. lol maybe not but don't let them get to you!!

Answer 5

when i read the heading, my comment was because we do not want to show off or make anyone look or feel inferior, but when i saw how young you were and realized you weren't talking at all about 'hiding' the gift. i think you mean denying the gift. the reason at this age really seems to be fitting in. as much as we'd like to think we are unique, we really do like to blend in. few of us have the desire to be singled out for any reason. even the pretty girl wishes she were plainer sometimes. she will complain that she cannot get a date (because guys are intimidated by her), or that she isn't taken seriously or that some people are mean to her due to good old fashioned jealousy. and when she does score a date with that guy......is he really interested in her, or does he just want to be seen with her. or worse.
the saddest part is, those of us on the plain side, have no sympathy for the pretty girl. we think her life is cake.

same is true with the talented, gifted, privileged etc........

Answer 6

i noticed that when a question was asked by the teacher that even if a student knew the answer they would not raise their hand to answer due to the fact they would be teased.
i think it's intimidation, bully's cover their own lower IQ's by harassing anyone with a brain. and then there is the "gang" that follows the bully rather than be bullied.
now it's happening on a worldwide scale.

Answer 7

Thats such a hard age and so many kids at that age don't want to be noticed by others as being different in any way. They want to blend in so they don't become a target for ridicule. And that usually means blending in at the lowest common denominator.

I am the mother of 2 gifted teens. My oldest wanted to fit in more than she wanted to develop her gifts, and she is now struggling to catch up. I got my youngest in a gifted school and he is thriving with others like him.

Answer 8

The pal could be stupid using fact it links his sources with your pal's sources. that could get the two one among them seized. money laudering is the terrific thank you to do it, regardless of the indisputable fact that it takes your guy or woman business corporation to do it, and nevertheless desires time to establish the community to technique it. there's a technique pronounced as Forensic Accounting, which ability they know all the dodges and are waiting for it. How do rich human beings do it? long in the previous this element. They began it in the previous everyone knew they have been rich, no longer to point criminally rich.

Answer 9

Smart people will never think of themselves as smart. If your truly smart, you will know that you know so little.

If your smart, you will find a way to solve the problem and not jeopardize your position to be part of the solution.

If you're smart, you will care less about popularity, you will be most interested in finding ways to manipulate nature, society, chemicals, math, and stuff like that.

In short. If your smart, popularity is not one of your problem.

Answer 10

Because of mediocre society that prefers athletic ability and dumbness over mental ability, science and technology. It's easier to rule with dumb people!

Answer 11

This society is headed downhill. If you are smart and have common sense, people think you are insane. There is just too many stupid, moronic people in this USA.