Perfection does not exist in reality. No one is perfect, nothing is perfect. Perfection is merely a man’s illusion, it simply doesn’t exist in the universe. The man whom is regarded as the most brilliant theoretical physicist in history, Stephen Hawking said, One of the basic rules of universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist… without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.
Imperfection, they say is beauty, it is better to be ridiculous than to be boring. An American novelist and a nonfiction writer, Anne Lamott said, perfection is shallow, unreal and fatally uninteresting. Again, according to An American computer scientist, Jaron Lanier, seeking perfection in human affairs is a perfect way to destroy them.
In the world today, some parents place unnecessary pressure on their children, because they expects perfection from them. Having a high expectation of your child is normal and can be helpful, but placing a child under too much pressure or expectation could lead to physical stress and even psychological problems, such a child could give up easily on everything he set out to do.
A child placed under too much pressure, sees himself as a failure, if he isn’t able to achieve the best standard in whatever he wants to do. Perfection is detrimental to a child’s character and behavioural development. For instance, a child would wants to do everything and anything to bring almost perfect result from school, even if it means him cheating or manipulating his scores. So, placing a child under pressure for perfection sends a negative message to the child.
Are you a parent or guardian? Do you criticize your child more than you praise him? Do you compare your child to others? Do you focus on his wrong than his rights? Are you the kind of parent or guardian that shout and hand-out the child’s mistakes at the slightest? Are you micromanaging your child? Are you always angry when supervising his home work or chores?
You are likely mounting too much pressure on him and according to research, over controlled parenting stunt a child’s development.
The United Nations Convention on Rights of the child defines a child as any human being under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national legislation.
Biologically, a child is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.
Children or a child who thinks he has to be perfect is at higher risks of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, mood and eating disorders.
So, parents, guardians, allow your children to make mistakes. Praise them more than you criticize them, even as adults, we make mistakes and we learned from them, same principle applies to children. So, make your children feel supported and safe, educate them, make them understand that mistakes are a part of life and a learning process. Do this and see your children or child flourish as he develops and pass through life stages.
Aside the home, where children spends time with their parents or guardians. school is where they spends most of their day. So, teachers, and everyone in charge of these minors should be dutiful and diligent in the discharge of their duties. School should fight against the trend of bullying and educators must be patient and tolerant of these children because each child is different in terms of assimilation, understanding, learning, interacting with others and the likes.
