The younger generations are known for overusing inane phrases. “I’m bored” and “This is boring” seem to be at the forefront of such expressions – used during times of school work, household chores, or lazy weekend mornings.
Fantasy Leverage
The declaration of boredom is rarely well received by parents and teachers; this is probably because most adolescents employ the term in the midst of acquiring education or when denied self-gratification. In either situation, the child is immediately granted a disapproving frown or icy scolding.
The “bored” often spew out the term to cause hurt or to create a fantasy leverage that just does not exist. When put in the correct perspective, the truth of this matter is quite humorous. More times than not, teenagers are, in fact, not qualified to be bored. They use boredom as a derogatory term in order to belittle a subject or activity, implying that the same activity is beneath them.
Boredom in the Classroom
Recently, I was giving classroom instruction on the parts of speech. During a passionate explanation, a child raised his hand. Excited, I promptly acknowledged him, looking forward to his question. However, without reservation or respect, the student gave a half smile half snarl comment, “This is boring.” The room erupted in laughter. I gave a slight pause, sinking into the all too familiar mystery for the educated.
Questions swirled in my brain. Why do students so easily despise school subjects? Grammar indignation solved my small conundrum. “This child doesn’t even know enough about English to make a wise judgment,” I thought. At that point, a beautiful epiphany spread through my mind like a healing antidote.
Understanding Boredom
In truth, boredom should only be attributed to persons possessing complete competency in a subject to the extent of monotony. Teens are simply not qualified to be bored in most circumstances; they haven’t the experience. They are simply unmotivated.
According to the Online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term boredom means “the state of being weary and restless through a lack of interest.” Therefore, some will say that boredom stems from lack of interest; however, two things come to mind.
First of all, students are generally not in a position to determine whether education is interesting because they lack respect. Einstein could easily be forgiven if he had thought the integer rules were dull – simply because we can believe that he possessed respect for Algebra. However, eighth graders do not get to mock the periodic table without rebuke because we know that in most cases, respect isn’t present.
Secondly, a lack of interest may result from lack of comprehension. Very rarely do we find an individual bored as a result of being a genius. On the contrary, most are uninterested because they struggle academically. A truly brilliant person seeks a higher degree of complexity to scratch the itch of boredom. The counterpart seeks self-gratification as the cure.
Addressing Boredom
Now, when students profess boredom, I combat it with the truth. Try it. When a student intentionally insults your subject or activity in rudeness, you could kindly respond as I might.
“Respected boredom comes from experience not unsupported opinions rooted in disrespect.”
Why is this issue important? We must strive to motivate the younger generations. If the declaration of boredom stems from a lack of respect, we must cater to demonstrating respect. If the boredom is a result of an academic struggle, we must tend to it kindly and patiently, knowing that maintaining self-control while utilizing wisdom can make all the difference for a child.
