In class this week we were asked to reflect upon our own childhood, specifically to think about how we remembered being treated by teachers, parents, and other adults. The questions asked were: where do you imagine they saw you on the innocence/depravity continuum, and why do you think they saw you this way?
When I was a kid I was very well behaved and well mannered. I think that most adults saw me this way because this was how I behaved. One particular memory that I have demonstrates the theme of perceived innocence in childhood very well. In my grade five year my friends and I decided to write our names on the school bus seat. Obviously we got caught and in trouble, and I remember my teachers shock when he sat us down to talk about it. My friends and I were never in trouble so this was a new experience for me. My teacher kept saying things like, “When I heard about this you girls were the last ones I imagined to be responsible,” and other things along those lines. I think this demonstrates the perspective that my teacher had of us. His shock showed that he assumed that we were not capable of something like that.
I think that most adults see children as being innocent. They always have such a hard time believing that children can do bad thing, like bullying. I also notice that in these situations an adult will often blame a child’s parents or upbringing, instead of the child. It seems it is easier to for some adults to place blame on other people than the actual child. This brings up the question “is a child born innocent?”And “can a child be evil or commit evil acts without outside influences?” These are hard questions to decipher because there really is no way to tell. A child could be born with the ability to commit evil acts, or it could stem from outside influences like parents and television. Nonetheless, when I look at the world, and reflect on my childhood, I notice a definite tendency for adults to think of children of innocent.
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