Feral Children

In class this week we talked about how our environment affects us drastically. When I first heard about feral children, I didn't believe it. I couldn't imagine how a child could go through life without being raised by their parents. It is sad to think that children who are locked in their rooms for years, or live with animals, start to show those characteristics. It is just like the girl who was locked in her room for 12 years. She could not see farther than 10 feet in front of her because that was how far away the wall was from her in the small room she lived in. This proves the idea that how we are nurtured does change the way we grow up and live. Social experiences really affect an individual. Social habits are picked up from the environment or people around us. I am always hearing how much I act like my mother because she raised me to be who I am. We both think alike and act alike. Living in the environment of my house with my mom and family made me who I am today.

Tuesdays With Morrie

In class we got to watch the movie Tuesdays with Morrie. I really appreciated seeing this movie because Morrie was such an insightful person and really had an extremely positive outlook on life. Morrie said, "There is nothing innately shameful about being dependent. When we were infants we needed others to live, when we are dying we need others to live,but here's the secret - in between we need others even more." I really like this because I believe that dependency is an important part of someone's life. I depend on my family to always be there for me and give me the support I need. I know that if I couldn't depend on them, I wouldn't be able to pursue my dreams. People are afraid of dependency because they think that it shows that they are weak and cannot do things for themselves, however this is not the case. People can be independent and do things on their own, but it is others support and care that gets them there. As a speaker, Brene Brown, said it, we try to numb our feelings of dependency, but in doing so, we numb the rest of our feelings of happiness and love. It is hard to accept so some people, but if we don't depend on others, we won't succeed as much as we could.

American Values

In class we talked about the different values that Americans live by. We read an article that explains these values and it said, "Most Americans would have a difficult time telling you, specifically, what the values are which Americans live by" (Kohls 24). That was proven during the refugee speaker assembly. The speaker was asked what American values did she notice after working with the refugees, and she had a tough time answering. It is tough for anyone to answer that because we all are looking at our culture though the actual lens of our culture. Only outsiders, looking in, could really see our true values. One of the values that I noticed after reading the article was Future Orientation. Americans spend a lot of time hoping for a better future, instead of experiencing the happiness in the present. I have noticed this a lot when I hear kids saying that they can't wait until high school is over and they can go to college, and can't wait to get out of college to get a job and so on. These kids aren't experiencing the present and getting the most they can out of school and life at the time. I am guilty of this as well. My parents always tell me to slow down and stop worrying too much about the future, because when I get older, I will wish I was back in high school enjoying myself a little more.