Why Do We Label?
Father
Husband
Brother
Uncle
Teacher
Coach
Scout Leader
Photographer
Writer
I, like most people, have been assigned a variety of labels. These labels are used to help others describe who I am. I am aware of most of my labels. I am proud of most of the labels that have been attached to my name, but some I am not. I am sure people use other labels, labels that are not so flattering, when they describe me. As an adult, I have the maturity to deal with these labels, to validate them or prove them false. I can consciously decide to change these labels, although some labels are hard to live down.
Children on the other hand, are not in a position to deal with labels. Most children are not even aware of the labels that have been attached to them. They are not old enough to understand how their behavior effects how others see them. They don’t know that many adults, especially teachers, are keeping a “score card” of their behavior and then attaching a label to them. These labels, assigned by adults, can be very damaging to children. When labels like: handicapped, learning disabled, bully, and slow (to only name a few) are used to describe a child, we adults are immediately limiting that child’s chances and opportunities to be successful, to be happy, to be children. Most adults spend little time with the children they label, and they judge children based on their first impression, without considering what might be causing a child’s behavior. A child may have had a bad day, may be tired and cranky, may be stressed out for countless reasons, but this doesn’t stop most adults from forming an opinion, attaching a label, and believing this label accurately describes that child. These labels are very, very hard for children to live down.
It is only when we stop judging, when we stop labeling, that we can recognize children for what they are: God’s greatest gift to us all.