Is it possible to force a child to mature faster than normal? A girl named Ellen, in Ellen Foster, by Kate Gibbons, is exposed to situations and events that most children her age are not. Was she, because of the experiences she had to go through, forced to become mature faster than normal? Is it possible for a child to be forced to become mature earlier than normal? Yes, it is possible for a child to be forced to mature faster than normal, if that child is exposed to situations or circumstances in which they are forced to view or experience events that are not normally viewed or experienced by a child of that age. Websters Third New International Dictionary defines mature as having or expressing the mental and emotional qualities that are considered normal to an adult socially adjusted human being. This means that to be mature is to have certain traits, which you acquire as you mature. According to this definition, it would be possible for a child to become mature early; they simply must attain these certain traits. According to Levels of Maturity, there are seven levels of maturity.
These levels can be acquired through experience. As one completes a level, they move on to the next one. The article also says: As we mature, we become more flexible. We have a greater capacity to find peaceful solutions to our differences with others. We become more independent, ultimately achieving interdependence. With greater maturity comes more kindness, compassion, and respect toward others, along with self-confidence and clarity of purpose. These are some of the traits discussed in the next paragraph. According to Traits Learned on the Way to Maturity, as one matures, he/she learns various traits that distinguish that person from a less mature person. One of these traits is responsibility.
The Essay on Transitions That Most Children And Young People Experience
Transition Age Reason Being cared for by someone other than a parent 0 – 2 Many children will be left by parents with relatives and friends for short periods of time. Some babies and toddlers may also go to a childminder or day nursery as their parents work. Joining a nursery or pre – school 2 – 3 Many children’s first experience of being in group care is at around 2 years as they start in a pre – ...
Ellen does show remarkable responsibility. After her mother dies, she takes care of her father and herself. With the money she receives, she pays the bills, buys the food, gives some to her father to buy beer, and saves the rest. Most children her age would not show the responsibility to be able to handle managing the family finances. I figured out what I needed and took it. You got the lights, gas to heat and cook, food, and extras(Gibbons, 25).
This shows that she knows what she needs, and has the initiative to get it. Another trait learned is self-control. She certainly shows self-control, when she is able to save enough of the money that she receives so that she can pay for everything both she and her father need to buy I let him have the rest (of the money) and he would stock up so he would not have to worry(Gibbons, 25).
This shows that she is able to give the money to him where he will waste it, rather than her wasting it herself. The third trait is the ability to look ahead. Towards the end of the book, she shows this ability when she reveals that she has saved up the one hundred and sixty six dollars in case she ever got kicked out of her house.
She was planning ahead to make sure she could survive if something happened that she didnt plan. I had saved a bundle just in case something like this ever came up and I needed some cash.(Gibbons, 117).
This shows that she has the ability to look and plan ahead and that she is actively using this ability. The fifth trait is motivation. She shows this characteristic when she becomes motivated to leave her house and find another home after her father abuses her. I went in the house and loaded up everything I damn well please in a box.
All that was left to pay the bills and a bag of old nickels he kept hid where I had to crawl up to reach. I got two changes of clothes and put my Christmas presents in the box(Gibbons, 40).
This shows that she has the motivation to pack what she needs and leave. The sixth trait is decision making. She shows this ability when she resolves to leave her house. She has to make a tough decision; if she leaves her house, she might not be able to find another home. If she stays, she will have to put up with being sexually, physically, and mentally abused.
The Essay on Majors House Father Boy Man
In this, another story written by William Faulkner in 1939, he uses a great deal of language to paint a vivid picture of life in the mythical county of Yoknapatawpha, Mississippi. This story is recounted from The memories of a man named Colonel Sartoris Snopes (named after Colonel Sartoris whom his father served in the Civil War). His father was obviously a man of little or no education who had ...
The seventh trait is the ability to give and receive love. During most of the book, she does not have a chance to either give or receive love. Towards the end, though, as she is handed off to people who actually care about her, she is able to perform both, giving and receiving. The eighth trait is self-reliance. She shows this when she is forced to rely on herself after her mother dies. Both her and her father are dependent upon her paying the bills, buying the food, and doing all the other things an adult in the family would normally do.
I figured out what I needed and took it. You got the lights, gas to heat and cook, food, and extras(Gibbons, 25).
This shows that she has the ability to rely on herself to get what needs to be done done. The last trait is confidence in oneself as an individual. Even though she has every right to have confidence in herself, she never actually shows that she does, nor does she give any indication towards this conclusion. As a whole, though, Ellen shows most, if not all, of the traits that are learned on the way to maturity.
In conclusion, it is possible to force a child to mature faster than normal. Applying the definition of mature to Ellen proves this. So does that fact that an eleven year old shows many traits that are associated with being mature. Even though she is mature, what changes will this create in her life to come? Will this be a good consequence or a bad consequence?.
