The Gifted Gone Astray

Bashed by bullies, alienated by peers and scrutinized by overly ambitious parents; many a gifted teen breaks down in the pressure. Overly competent, proud and bored with school; many a gifted teen will slack off and underachieve, maybe even causing trouble for some much needed entertainment. Feeling superhuman, alien or extremely different; many a gifted teen will turn away from societal norms and take on abnormal practices. These problems are larger than expected of our brightest youth. The truth is, that these teens are at more risk of breakdowns and misguided decisions than their average peers. Let us look at some case studies...

Aaron is an extremely intelligent student. His provincial test scores came back with only 9s and 10s where most students were lucky to see a 6 or 7. He is a computer genius with photographic memory. He can debate and win any argument, can define any word and impress anyone with these talents. And yet his marks are always down in the seventies and he is repeatedly in trouble at the office. Aaron finds school boring and doesn't see the point in attaining any certain mark. He gives more effort at the end of the course because, as he says, all his elders like to see improvement. Aaron has been in trouble and even suspended for messing up school computers, skipping school to work or visit his old enrichment centre and for wearing unacceptable clothing to school. He doesn't seem to mind at all. Aaron is completely self-confident and ready to excel in his computerized future. He feels that his marks will not hinder his acceptance to college. Aaron is just one example of the gifted gone astray.

Adam is the perfect example of a nerd. He has an incredible IQ and brains to die for. Adam has parents who are lawyers and teachers. He has gone to French and German Immersion, public and esteemed private schools. The trouble started in grade eight. Adam had won a huge scholarship to an elite secondary private school. He then made a presentation over the PA system in which he used terrible language and swearing. Adam lost his scholarship. His rich parents sent him on to the school anyway. There he failed his courses and continually ran away. He refused to take on a job and would only bug his parents for money. He ran away repeatedly for weeks at a time with a girl friend. Adam made it through his high school years and also made it into McGill. Unfortunately this highly intelligent boy did not attain one dollar in scholarships. Here is another sad statistic to add to our database of the gifted gone astray.

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