Post by fairlane on Aug 3, 2007 19:06:13 GMT -5
Here is an extract from an article in the NZ Herald today that I thought was interesting as it is talking about the sort of abuse and neglect that is described in The Outsiders as happening to Johnny and Dally.
Research over 20 years clearly shows you develop compassion the same way you develop the ability to walk or talk, says Hassall.
Babies learn by reciprocation of emotion and responses with their caregiver, usually their mother. When she smiles, you smile. You cry and she feeds and comforts you.
"If you get disruption of that, if you get harsh treatment or more importantly, more seriously, neglect, so there's a failure of response, then you fail to develop that model other person, and that stays with you."
The result is not being able to feel for others. Most of us would look at the photo of Nia Glassie and think, "what a cutie". Those without that key neurodevelopment look through blank eyes and see her as an object or a plaything.
Hassall says he is not making excuses but it is important to understand all the reasons. One of the things that protects him - to some extent - against the anger and outrage is realising that often the people who perpetrate abuse were 20 years earlier in the same position. They are the abused child grown up.
This is the link, but most of the rest of the article is discussing NZ specifically.
www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10455698&pnum=0
Research over 20 years clearly shows you develop compassion the same way you develop the ability to walk or talk, says Hassall.
Babies learn by reciprocation of emotion and responses with their caregiver, usually their mother. When she smiles, you smile. You cry and she feeds and comforts you.
"If you get disruption of that, if you get harsh treatment or more importantly, more seriously, neglect, so there's a failure of response, then you fail to develop that model other person, and that stays with you."
The result is not being able to feel for others. Most of us would look at the photo of Nia Glassie and think, "what a cutie". Those without that key neurodevelopment look through blank eyes and see her as an object or a plaything.
Hassall says he is not making excuses but it is important to understand all the reasons. One of the things that protects him - to some extent - against the anger and outrage is realising that often the people who perpetrate abuse were 20 years earlier in the same position. They are the abused child grown up.
This is the link, but most of the rest of the article is discussing NZ specifically.
www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10455698&pnum=0
