Why do you think SHYNESS brings with it such a negative connotation?

Question

Einstein was shy..................

I just dont see why most people see shyness as being so bad. My 7 year old is EXTREMELY shy with adult strangers and I have heard (lately) some negative comments about it. Just frustrates me because he is absolutely the sweetest kid regardless of him being shy.

I dont have negative feelings about shyness, I am not opposed to it at all, I am just sick of hearing the negative comments about it and sometimes these comments are made right in front of him (as if he is deaf too). I am constantly correcting people that "he is not interested in talking to strangers" rather than saying, "oh, yes he is shy". I only do that because shyness is seen as beoing so negative and that in of itself only perpetuates the problem.

Low self esteem/lack of confidence----->shyness------>negative comments------->low self esteem/lack of confidence.

he is not shy with his peers just ADULT strangers.

Answer 1

People assume that if a kid is shy, it's because his parents coddle him and don't let him out of their site. That assumption couldn't be more wrong.

Even though sometimes there are kids who are over protected who turn out shy, most kids who are shy are shy because that's just their temperment.

Being shy is a GOOD thing. Kids who are shy are not afraid of people. It's just that they are not as trusting as other kids. Some kids will walk up to anyone and start talking and that can be very dangerous.

Don't listen to anyone who puts down you or your kids because they are shy. They are only making ASSumptions.

Answer 2

Unlike how he is with me, my husband is very shy at first around a lot of people but opens up once he gets to know someone. My daughter pretends to be shy until she's used to her surroundings. People are ignorant so just block out any negative comments. I personally think shyness is cute.

Answer 3

There's nothing wrong with black. I like black clothing (it's slimming and contrasts nicely with blond hair) I like black noses on dogs more than pink ones. Black horses are prettier than albinos. I think that people attatch negative meaning to black out of some primal fear of the dark. They attatch it to other fearsome ideas like the devil and evil, or death. But even when black is seen to represent death, it simultaniously represents wisdom and eternity. Besides if there was no night, what would day be? And doesn't death nurture life even as life is devoured by death? This is why one culture would so easily attatch the same meanings to white as another would attatch to black. Neither is good or bad. They are simply two halves of one whole. I don't mind other cultures and different races. It makes life more interesting. What I don't get is all the ethnocentric arrogance and this proud to be mexican, white, black... whatever. Saying that is like saying "i'm proud I was born" Does that make sense? It's not like being born who you are is your accomplishment. The only one who can boast of any accomplishments reguarding your birth is your mother (it's even understandable that the father can take credit for his part) We don't need any ethnic pride. What we are short on is ethnic humility.

Answer 4

I can identify with being shy because I was extremely shy during my adolescence. I think people react to being shy negatively, because if they carry it with them throughout adulthood, it can be very difficult for them. They can develop social anxiety, in which they avoid all social situations. It can affect their whole life, because they avoid situations that involve people. Being socially active is healthy. Hopefully your little one will grow out of it. You can also help your child by encouraging him or her to engage in social situations. Or, you can enroll your child into an extra-curricular activity such as dance, or softball which will allow them to connect with others socially. Hope this helps a bit. =)

Answer 5

shy is good.esp. for kids with strangers. encourage diaolog by asking for his thoughts.

Answer 6

Because people who are shy have low self esteem, and other social issues. Theres nothing worse than a person or child who already assumes someone is scary, or that someone wont like them.

Its normal for kids to be cautious, its a safe thing, but to constantly hiding behind mom's skirts, or refusing to explore their world is a sign that something isnt right in their social and emotional development.

Answer 7

there is nothing wrong with being shy... i am very shy around strangers but there is nothing wrong at all!