Classifications can be often be useful but when they are applied to people they can be detrimental. People who have been labeled something they feel they are not may feel angry and unable to break out from that designation. It can seriously impact their lives.
Instead of differentiating us from one another, labels tend to sum us up by our more obvious or dominate characteristics. They don't take into account our complete interests, talents and abilities. Labeling is especially negative to children because places them in categories before they are even finished growing. It can inhibit them from discovering more out about themselves and their interests.
In a school setting children are often labeled by teachers, administrators or even their peers. They may find themselves being identified as a class clown, bully, diva or brain. The labels are endless and many people find them hard to live down or live up to.
It may not seem like a big deal to some, particularly those who have received seemingly innocuous labels, like class clown or most popular. However, those who are labeled negative terms, like class flirt or burnout can lose their motivation and it can affect their self-esteem. They may feel they have to live up or down to others expectations.
When a label is applied it changes the perception the public has on that person. It can make it hard for them to get along in the world. They may feel pigeon-holed in that label, whether fair or unfair.
Those who have been labeled may feel hurt or angry by the designation but may be unable to express those emotions. So, they may shut off or seclude themselves from others to avoid their label. They may feel burdened by others perception of them.
This is not a realistic place to be, however. The isolation can lead to depression, identity crisis, substance abuse and anti-social behavior.
The next time you find yourself tempted to label someone try thinking about what's making you feel that way and the consequences it can have on that person. Try to keep an open mind and give that person a chance to show you and others all that they are about before you make up your mind about them.
Instead of differentiating us from one another, labels tend to sum us up by our more obvious or dominate characteristics. They don't take into account our complete interests, talents and abilities. Labeling is especially negative to children because places them in categories before they are even finished growing. It can inhibit them from discovering more out about themselves and their interests.
In a school setting children are often labeled by teachers, administrators or even their peers. They may find themselves being identified as a class clown, bully, diva or brain. The labels are endless and many people find them hard to live down or live up to.
It may not seem like a big deal to some, particularly those who have received seemingly innocuous labels, like class clown or most popular. However, those who are labeled negative terms, like class flirt or burnout can lose their motivation and it can affect their self-esteem. They may feel they have to live up or down to others expectations.
When a label is applied it changes the perception the public has on that person. It can make it hard for them to get along in the world. They may feel pigeon-holed in that label, whether fair or unfair.
Those who have been labeled may feel hurt or angry by the designation but may be unable to express those emotions. So, they may shut off or seclude themselves from others to avoid their label. They may feel burdened by others perception of them.
This is not a realistic place to be, however. The isolation can lead to depression, identity crisis, substance abuse and anti-social behavior.
The next time you find yourself tempted to label someone try thinking about what's making you feel that way and the consequences it can have on that person. Try to keep an open mind and give that person a chance to show you and others all that they are about before you make up your mind about them.
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