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Gifted Children

In recent years, the impact of giftedness -- a demonstration of extraordinary intellectual and creative ability -- on the social and emotional development of gifted children and adolescents has generated tremendous interest among researchers (Chan, 2002). Research studies in the last two decades have indicated that although gifted students have high self-esteem that stems from their talent, they have difficulties with socializing with their peers and have a negative self-concept of their giftedness. Associated emotional problems of gifted adolescents, which have been identified by researchers, include anxiety, depression and poor self-image (Swiatek, 2001; Field et al., 1998).

For gifted adolescents, the period of adolescence that is characterized by drastic growth in all areas of life and the emerging sense of adult identity can be especially challenging. While all adolescents have to deal with the developmental challenges of asserting their autonomy and forging meaningful social relationships with others, gifted adolescents' ability to make these social and emotional adjustments are hampered by their perceptions of difference from their peers (Zeidner & Schleyer, 1999).

More specifically, the social and emotional development of gifted children adolescents is affected in a number of ways: First, gifted children and adolescents experience the stigmatizing effects of being labeled "gifted" and thus different from their peers. In order to minimize negative social efforts, gifted adolescents and children will try to reject their giftedness by underachieving, hiding that aspect of their personality from their friends or denying the existence of their giftedness to themselves. They may become underachievers and sabotage their schoolwork. The effort to cope with the social challenges by suppressing an integral part of their identity can have adverse social and emotional consequences for gifted children in the long run and even...

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Gifted Children. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 04:49, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1687794.html