(no subject)

[andrewducker]

When we are young the only way that we can be persuaded to do unpleasant things is to be told that they are good for us. Nobody ever needs to tell us that things we like are good for us, because we do them without needing reinforcement.

This gives rise to the strange feeling that things are only good for us if they are unpleasant. I wonder if this has generally negative effects.

Comments

[ex-digitalis869.livejournal.com]

Ooo! That's a *really* interesting thought. I would seriously be willing to bet that it has negatively affected me long-term, now that I think about it.

Hmmmmm

[ekatarina.livejournal.com]

Yet again my mother's wisdom comes through. She told me things like that and to this day I will eat just about any veggie you pout in front of me. (Fruits another issue.)

Sigh.

I had a smart mom. Instead of forbidding make-up, we got our colours done and got a Merle Norman make-over. Bought me $100 worth of toner and power and cleansers and eyeshadow. Instead of getting uppity about shaving, looong before I even asked she bought me a Remington razor set and told me shaving or not shaving was my decision., She found she didn't sweat so much, but whatever I did I should never lay a finger on anyone else's razor. Not sanitary and not only would I probably cut myself the owner of the razor could be in a mess.

And many other things.

Smart mom.

Katja

[finding_helena]

Interesting thought. Veddy interesting...

[heron61.livejournal.com]

I would expect so. Like many similar pieces of alleged wisdom, I thought about that one and decided that it was utter and complete hogwash and therefore ignored it. I've definitely never regretted that decision. It has become increasingly clear to me that the fact that I grew up mildly loathing my parents protected me from all manner of social programming that they attempted to inflict on me. Instead, I seem to have mostly internalized 1970 media morality, which seems primarily to consist of two rules: "Follow your bliss." & "Don't get caught."

[moniqueleigh]

I imagine it would if we never experienced anything "good for us" that was also pleasant. Luckily, my folks found a few things that were also enjoyable for me. :) Thus, while I may cavil still at those things I find unpleasant, I don't automatically think, "Oh, that's something I ought to be doing, so I'll probably hate it." Instead, I reserve judgment until I've actually experienced it.

Example: Normally, I hate spinach in any way, shape, or form. I know it's good for me, but I simply can't get past the texture or flavour. Recently, I had dinner with friends who are vegetarians. Roz didn't really know my taste preferences & made some sort of spinach-cheese casserole. Being a polite guest, I decided to go ahead & take a small portion (figuring if all else failed, I could sneak it on to hubby's plate since he does like spinach). It was goooood. I went back for a 2nd, larger portion. (& a 3rd, but let's not go into how much of a pig I can be.)

[kpollock.livejournal.com]

Nope. Not for me. Nothing is unequivocally 'good for us' or 'bad for us' in any case, andan as such, that is what is always in the forefront of my mind.