Behavior Quote by Stephen King
““You know, schizoid behavior is a pretty common thing in children. It's accepted, because all we adults have this unspoken agreement that children are lunatics. They have invisible friends. They may go and sit in the closet when they're depressed, withdrawing from the world. They attach talismanic importance to a special blanket, or a teddy bear, or a stuffed tiger. They suck their thumbs. When an adult sees things that aren't there, we consider him ready for the rubber room. When a child says he's seen a troll in his bedroom or a vampire outside the window, we simply smile indulgently. We have a one-sentence explanation that explains the whole range of such phenomena in children--" “He'll grow out of it,” Jack said.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Stephen King on child psychology, 2010
Children often display unusual behaviors that adults label as odd, but these are normal coping mechanisms; adults tend to dismiss them with simplistic explanations.
In simple terms: Kids act oddly; adults simplify.
Key Takeaway
Take children's behavior seriously.
Themes
childhood
psychology
coping
misunderstanding
stigma
Mood
concerned
empathetic
Type
educational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- mental health assessment
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
mental health
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How can adults better support unusual child behavior?
- What alternatives exist to “he’ll grow out of it”?
A Different Perspective
Adults may overlook deeper issues.
