Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones, But Names Will Never Hurt Me

Who was not told this as a child? It has been said so many times that it is often shortened to "Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones…" with the last and most important part of the phrase left off!

Parents want their kids to grow up to be "thick-skinned," to avoid the insults, personal attacks, and other negative influences that are likely to be directed at their child in elementary school and beyond. They believe that if they repeat this enough, a child will believe it. In reality, very few ever believe it-we all know the sting of someone calling us names or ridiculing us in some other manner.

Unfortunately, this childhood philosophy must now be moved to higher levels. In earlier, more polite culture, people rarely talked ill of others directly on a personal level. Now, personal attacks have become all too common. Anyone wishing to make a name for themselves in this world must expect a barrage of negative attacks in print, over the air waves, and on the Internet. Tabloids attack movie stars and even figures such as Mother Theresa. Some TV shows exist solely to point out the personal problems of our government officials. No matter what you say or do, someone will hear about it. With our new technology, it is likely that you do not even know them! And with that same technology, they can instantly attack you on the national and international stage. With such openness, it is necessary for us, as adults, to grow skin thick enough to ignore the negative attacks and accept constructive criticism.