My Preconceptions (blog 2)

I have noticed that, for the most part, my views on childhood come into direct conflict with other people’s. I have been known to take adversarial viewpoints, in fact I somewhat pride myself on being able to play devil’s advocate, but in this instance, I solidly believe that children may be ignorant but they are certainly not ‘innocent’. Not all children anyways. I think that just because children may not have the tools or understanding of how to hurt and demean people with the level of sophistication and manipulation as adults do, does not mean they lack intent. Children are undoubtedly equipped with a sense of wonderment, and vast curiosity and imagination, but they are also not equipped with the ability to control their emotions and logically surmise conclusions to complex problems. I think of school fights as a prime example.

I remember one time, when I was in first grade. It was recess, and I was in a bad mood, I wanted to be left alone, so I hid under the bridge on the playground. When another boy in my grade approached me, I swore at him and told him to leave, and when he didn’t I threw rocks at his face. He still didn’t leave so I kicked his head against a metal pole. Does that scenario have any trace of innocence in it? No. Definitely not, it does however illustrate that as a 6 year old I lacked the capacities of reason and self control. I reacted with unfettered emotion.

James perceived his world through an emotional lens as well. If James had thought logically about his parents and their demise he would have realized that there was no Giant Rhino, and that his parents and aunts were probably more alike than he thinks.

The way I see it, Children are miniature, immature people. They aren’t like blessings or angels. They each have history and baggage of their own. They all have the capacity to be good or bad, to learn or to be stubborn. A teacher has to be able to react to their needs, and work on their terms; to beat them at their own game. An art teacher would have to understand where the kids are in their lives, and what they are and are not capable of. If you give 30 8 year olds paint and brushes, someone is getting painted on. An art teacher is going to have to give the kids something they want to develop. Their interests may perplex and offend adults, but they are kids after all, they don’t know any better.