In some countries children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?
It is commonly observed that juveniles are hard-wired with the perception that investing efforts can help attain any objective. Although this can be rewarding, there are some issues that should be taken into account.
Fostering the trait of perseverance among youngsters offers one major benefit: they are inspired to strive for their goals enthusiastically when taught that this virtue equals success. This can specifically assist students in cultivating a growth mentality, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to bounce back from setbacks. For example, if a child feels that this leads to success, they will put in more effort to do better at a subject. Such training also encourages optimism towards ambitions. Those absorbing this idea are more likely to have lofty goals for themselves, and also a prosperity to devise and discover strategies to attain objectives, helping them develop into independent, self-assured people who can face obstacles head-on.
However, this arrangement does have some significant detriments: young minds might become so engrossed in their strivings that they might not be able to strike a balance between hard work and realistic goal-setting, and may develop unrealistic expectations. Since skills, opportunities, and external factors also all play a part, not all goals can be accomplished with just hard work, precipitating frustration and lack of direction. Furthermore, this could also engender unwarranted pressure and a fear of failing, resulting from this belief, pushing one to internalize failure as a personal weakness rather than the outcome of forces outside control, predisposing them to stress and low self-esteem.
In hindsight, while promoting hard effort can foster ambition and resilience, it is crucial to infuse this characteristic with an awareness of practical constraints. Giving juveniles perspective, and encouragement, helps them grow up with a more positive attitude toward achievements and disappointments.
