Is negative attention really better than NO attention?

Question

Yes Doc...so true..

Pink Candy Cane-wow..I share that experience

except i don't think I "crave" negative attention.

Answer 1

Having studied this when it was just in it's discovery stage
B.F Skinner etc. People as a rule will mostly take bad strokes rather than no strokes. They will take them to the degree that they search those out instead of good strokes.

And when are you gonna let be on your contact list?

Answer 2

For deprived children whose parents are distant (probably unprepared for parenthood), sometimes it seems that acting out is the only way to be noticed. The immediate problem is that when a child is attention deprived, you cannot reason with them about "right" attention and "wrong" attention. First they don't understand the distinction because usually they are way too young. Second, nature abhors a vacuum, even in terms of emotional environment, so kids do things to be noticed. Which is one reason (not the only reason) why some kids hang in gangs.

My grandson's cousin is growing up in a single-parent environment. His mom works a lot. His dad split before he was even born. His great-grandmother passed away when he was young and his grandmother is very distant. This kid could be the poster child for negative attention. It manifests in so many ways. He has to be Mr. Know-It-All because he thinks it gains attention. He doesn't realize the distinction and doesn't know how to live without attention, so he'll take the negative attention as opposed to isolation. I do what I can but his mother doesn't let the kid out much. My wife and I take my grandson and his cousin to movies now and then. We also take them to other fun venues - like the circus that passed through town recently. But that void in his home life makes the cousin a sad case. Nor can I usurp the mother's authority and privilege to decide how he should be treated as long as it is not criminally abusive. (Which it isn't.) All I can do is watch in sadness because there is nothing to do for the long lonely nights this child must feel.

Answer 3

I used to want attention so badly that I did some things that hurted me as well as others. All in the hopes of getting *some* attention. I was hurting badly in those days though. These days not as much. I am happy that the attention in my house is no longer focused on me and my antics. So... better to have no attention 'cause the negative kind usually comes as a result of having done some awful things...

Answer 4

If the negative attention is doing harm to the psychological health and well being of the child, than I can't say I believe it is better than no attention. Negative feedback on the other hand is better than no feedback, because it enables a person to improve his negative qualities.

Answer 5

Nah...if I had to choose between negative attention and no attention at all....I'd go for the no attention at all. Besides, I'm not really the type that needs attention all the time anyway.

Answer 6

No. I would rather have no attention than negative attention because if someone constantly called me something other than my name, there is bound to be some consequences and repercussions! Therefore, resulting in more negative attention, which I was trying to avoid.

Answer 7

I would rather have no attention, because bad attention brings along with it, bad consequences.

But some crave attention all of the time, so is said such a statement that some even enjoy the negitive attention.
;-)

Answer 8

Not negative attention like I got when my level 6 account got suspended, but negative attention like wanting to shave a certain little rodent that sneaks up on us is good negative attention.

Answer 9

I'd rather have no attention than negative attention. I got enough of that crap while growing up, and I never want to be made to feel that way again.

Answer 10

thats an EXCELLENT question to be brought up , especially at CHRISTMAS! thanx

So many are hurting and INVISIBLE!!! Please take the time to make an INVISIBLE person SMILE today!!! :)
That could be the tattered guy at the bus stop, or the shy child that is the trouble maker in your childs classroom.....the foster child that gets handed from home to home
Yesterday, a foster kid in my daughters class was selling a "rock" he had made out a clay. he wanted $3.00 for it. all i had on me after giving my son 20 and my daughter 20 for Santas workshop where i was volonterring was 2.00 but he was deadset on $3. for a small peice of clay....I finally came up with it, and tears of gratefulness and a big hug is the return i got for the muddy clay rock!! It was worth it!!!