Broad Generalizations Can be Dangerous
Did you spend any time in school learning about broad generalizations? You know, those statements that cover a great deal of people or territory or actions, when only a few were involved in whatever happened.
What about the statements some teachers make, like, “The behavior in this class of mine is outrageous,” or, “They are just bad kids!” How about, “My whole class failed that test.” Now, you and I know that not ALL of the kids are bad kids, behave badly, or fail the test! There might be a majority as times, but ALL is a big word!
When it comes to parenting, how about statements like: “My kids won’t listen to a thing I say,” or “My kids behave badly everywhere we go,” or “If the kids don’t get their way, the world comes to an end.” WOW, have you thought about the implications of generalizations like these???
Let’s move to the group that I had in mind when I began thinking about this post – the youth group at your congregation. Do you ever find yourself thinking or speaking in broad generalizations about the young people in your youth group?
- If one or two of them have misbehaved at a worship service or youth gathering, are they ALL guilty?
- If dressing immodestly is a problem with some of the young people, are they ALL immodest?
- If our future members of the youth group (little children) are rambunctious and misbehave at times, are ALL of the children bad?
- If words like “please” and “thank you” are not a part of the vocabulary of some of the kids, are they ALL rude and disrespectful?
- If one young person in the youth group uses poor judgment at church camp, are ALL of the kids guilty of poor judgment?
- I could go on and on with examples, but I think you probably get the point I am trying to make – negative broad generalizations are dangerous!!!
Negative broad generalizations can be dangerous because they label ALL children as having bad behavior, when only a few are guilty…and aren’t those few worth saving?
When I, as an older adult, am ready to throw up my hands and give up on the kids in the youth group or the parents who are rearing them, I am the person with a problem.
Wouldn’t I be better off and of greater value if I would consider just these few verses that come to mind:
“Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov. 22:6a).
“To Timothy, my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…” (Psalm 127:3)
“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:13-14)
Be very careful about using broad generalizations – especially negative ones – because they can be very dangerous and damaging to those about whom they are said.
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AUTHOR: Donna Faughn
