Why do people tell kids they can do anything they put their minds to?

Question

I can see telling a young kid that to inspire them, but why tell that to a 13 or 14 year old? Its not true, you cant be anything you want to be. We need to teach kids about the realities of life. I am not saying to discourage kids but be realistic. Thoughts?

You people are the reason that every young "average" thinks he is going to be the next Michael Jordan and every "average" young girl thinks she is going to win Americas next top model or American Idol.

Tyra was like 6 feet tall when she was 14 and Jordan was a basketball prodigy, No they were not average in their desired field. If your short atletically challanged 16 year old decides he wants to go pro when he cant even get on the JV team, you are doing him a disservice by telling him he can be in the NBA. People please, you are fooling yourselves. But I bet you are all ballerinas and rocket scientist.

Answer 1

I agree 100% with you. I think most of the other people who have responded are misunderstanding what you are saying. Michael Jordan and Tyra Banks are exceptions, not the rule. We need to encourage our kids, but also make sure they are not getting a false impression of the things they can and cannot do. That doesn't mean that you are sitting around telling your kids that they are stupid or that their dreams are stupid.

I think parents should be realistic and honest with their kids. If your child wants to be in choir, but can't hold a note, don't encourage him/her to keep trying, because practice won't change a bad singing voice. Instead, encourage him/her to think about playing an instrument. If your daughter wants to play softball, but couldn't hit or catch the ball, even it was sitting on a tee right in front of her, instead encourage her to try another sport, like track. These are the kinds of things parents need to be doing. They are encouraging, but also inconspiciously steering their kids away from the things that they are not good at, thus sparing hurt feelings and damaged egos.

Answer 2

Well, don't you deserve Optimist-of-the-Year award. I certainly feel sorry for your kids! Please explain why you've come to the conclusion that kids will "realistically" never be what they dream they want to be, and why you think encouraging them is the equivalent to giving them false hopes. Because, to be perfectly honest, you're absolutely ridiculous if you actually believe Michael Jordan and Tyra Banks weren't "average" kids.

EDIT: After reading the person below me's response, I can kind of see where you're coming from. I take classes in Tae Kwon Do and there are SOOOO many kids in there who simply cannot grasp the concept of the difference between a high-section punch and a low-section punch. However, that DOES NOT mean that without practice that they won't get better. True, some people are born with certain talents and are better at them than others, but I don't think that means at least SOME encouragement is unnecessary before trying to move them on to another interest. I totally agree that parents who know their kid can't sing worth a lick should spare them the embarrassment of letting them get in front on Randy, Paula, and Simon on national television; BUT, I think those parents should encourage their kids to practice and to try harder instead of saying "You suck, move on to something else". Also, believe me when I say that Michael and Tyra WERE average kids. Michael just happened to be good at basketball, and Tyra just happened to be tall. That doesn't mean they were "above" average.

Answer 3

Yeah My Dad Told Me When I Was 13 That Surfing Was A hobby Not A Job. I Told Him That Was Gonna Be My Job......To Surf....... And He Told Me If Thats How I Felt Go For It! I Worked My *** Of And Still Am And That Was about 15 years Ago! I Make over $800,000 a year off sponsors alone.

Answer 4

i agree to some extent.
i mean most likly a kid with a brain disfunction, or one that can not hold their hand still, can not be a top class surgeon. i think it's just a way to get kids to try harder and go for their goals. a lot of people that want to become a musician, may not be able to become a composer, but could probably become a band teacher.

it's a really good question why they do tell kids that? i mean come on get realilistic!

also, i think some parents have higher expectations of their kids, than what they may be compatable of achieving.

Answer 5

You can do anything you want to do, if you want to fly to the moon and you work the very hardest to get that goal, and work only for that goal then you will make it. It's people like you who think that because of the world it can't be done, is why there are so many people who live on welfare. Life is hard yes, but i think they should learn that on their own, they need to work and succeed in their dreams; or why else would they want to live.?

Answer 6

Dharma or Purpose of Life. The belief that everyone was put on the earth for a reason, and if you do something you are good at and enjoy, you are doing something you were destined to do, and will do it better than anyone else.

The mind is a powerful thing, and you can do anything you put your mind to. If you think you will be rich, you will become rich.
If you think you are sick, you will be sick.

Answer 7

Somehow I don't think crushing the dreams of teenagers about to enter the most emotionally volatile time of their lives is a particularly good idea.
If you want to be realistic, look at what they want to do, and work out with them exactly what they need to do to get there. Encouragement works a lot better than outright dismissal.

Answer 8

They can. The realm of possibilities is endless. I wish you viewed the world this way. How can anyone reach the moon, if they don't reach for the stars?

Inspire children first. That's what we're here for. Let them see the magic of the world... and when they grow up, they'll think they can face any challenge the world presents them... otherwise your setting them up for failure. Reality is only your perception anyway.

Answer 9

There is a belief that states "If you believe it to be true ...it is true". This means if you believe you can hit a baseball farther than one has ever been hit before...you can. If you believe you dance like an angel..you can. In all faiths in the world to believe it so, makes it so.
So...I believe you will be inspired by this and and believe anything is possible. hugs

Answer 10

because they can... But the kids have to be taught about the bad things but when people say that they encourage the kids to fight for what they want out of life.