3 of 55

Write now Article Tools

Labeling is a necessary evil. As much as I am a victim of labeling and am guilty of labeling others, I would have to argue that the world would be one big dysfunctional family if we didn't put labels on things or people. That is how the human brain operates. We label in order to process what we learn, organize and store the bits of information into our brains for future reference, just as a computer puts names on files and stores it into their memory banks.

The dangers of labeling are two-fold: one where a negative label is put on a child and he is doomed to failure because of the stigma, two, where a good label was put on him and he is pressured to forever live up to that image or not at all.

When we put a label on an illness or disease, it makes it easier for us to understand the diagnosis and its cure or solution. We we put labels on a child, it becomes very difficult to shake that title because as children, we are so sensitive and so vulnerable, we take everything adults tell us to heart. It never leaves you, and sticks to you like crazy glue.

Schools are phenomenal for putting labels on students. As a teacher, we were careful never to call anyone stupid. We could say what he/she did was a stupid act or that what he said was not prudent and erred in judgment, but never a label. Psychologists put labels on patients so they can deal with the actions of a child's behavior and oftentimes, the child has been incorrectly labeled and the cure becomes the problem, as in the cases of many diagnosed ADD children and ritalin becomes the answer.

Labeling is a silent social pecking order. Labeling children as a category such as "gifted, advanced, slow-learner", limits their capabilities and biases the teacher's mind into how they should be teaching these children. I myself never wanted to know the backgrounds of these children and their limitations. I always wanted to start with a clean slate and see what this child could accomplish before handicapping him with a label.

As I said labeling signifies an unspoken a pecking order. East Indian women used to wear dots on their foreheads to signify which caste they came from, be it higher or lower caste. I's like wearing a sign which says " I am not worthy" for everyone to see. The colors designated their humble backgrounds. Nowadays, the women only wear the dots for cosmetic reasons, for parties or other ceremonial rites.

Asian people rarely discipline their children, so use name-calling and labeling as a method to control

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The dangers of labeling a child ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!