Why do people sympathize with children more than adults?

[imported_goku]

I don't understand why people would go to greater lengths (seemingly) to save a newborn child than to save an adult? The way I look at it is like rounding, either round up or round down, if they're really young, round down, if they're older, round up.

 

[SagaLore]

Young child has their whole life ahead of them. There is also a high degree of innocence and vulnerability.

Adults are already well into their lives, and can fend for themselves. They also lack that innocent quality, so we don't feel as bad for them.

Get over it.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Young child has their whole life ahead of them.

No they didn't, otherwise they wouldn't be in a situation that would call for someone else to save them.

There is also a high degree of innocence and vulnerability.

True, but I don't see why people become soft because of that...

Adults are already well into their lives, and can fend for themselves. They also lack that innocent quality, so we don't feel as bad for them.

Yeah but way I look at it is they have more to loose and more people are effected (or at least SHOULD BE) by the loss of an adult than a child/baby/newborn/tumor
Get over it. [/quote]

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: goku
I don't understand why people would go to greater lengths (seemingly) to save a newborn child than to save an adult? The way I look at it is like rounding, either round up or round down, if they're really young, round down, if they're older, round up.

The older you are, the fewer chances you have to reproduce.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: goku
No they didn't, otherwise they wouldn't be in a situation that would call for someone else to save them.

Holy crap you're just stupid. :roll:

 

[Balt]

Because children are typically less in control of their circumstances than adults. Adults often make a series of mistakes that lead to their problems.

 

[d2arcturus]

What ever happened to corporal punishment in schools? Not to mention spanking at home.

Now kids are doing drugs and shooting up schools. They all need beatings. I was beat, and I'm glad I was.

 

[Balt]

Originally posted by: d2arcturus
What ever happened to corporal punishment in schools? Not to mention spanking at home.

Now kids are doing drugs and shooting up schools. They all need beatings. I was beat, and I'm glad I was.

Good post. Very relevant.

 

[Orsorum]

What does child abuse have to do with good parenting? I was taught as a child to think through my actions and to understand what effects my actions had on those I cared about. I was not beat, and I turned out to be a productive member of society.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: Orsorum
What does child abuse have to do with good parenting? I was taught as a child to think through my actions and to understand what effects my actions had on those I cared about. I was not beat, and I turned out to be a productive member of society.

Yeah. Well.


Shutup.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: AbAbber2k

Originally posted by: goku
I don't understand why people would go to greater lengths (seemingly) to save a newborn child than to save an adult? The way I look at it is like rounding, either round up or round down, if they're really young, round down, if they're older, round up.

The older you are, the fewer chances you have to reproduce.

We're already overpopulated as it is. I'm all for Iq testing for birth rights registration!

 

[PokerGuy]

Obviously, if presented with the choice of saving you or someone else, there is but one way to go -- choose the other person. You truly are dense

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: goku
No they didn't, otherwise they wouldn't be in a situation that would call for someone else to save them.

Holy crap you're just stupid. :roll:

Well, if you're a superior being, maybe you should go explain things to the lesser beings; this is assuming of course that you don't have an asshole situated on your face to which you talk out of.

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Obviously, if presented with the choice of saving you or someone else, there is but one way to go -- choose the other person. You truly are dense

You make no sense; pot, kettle?

 

[Hammerhead]

An adult could use his/her experiences and physical strength to figure out how to survive.

 

[DaShen]

It is ingrained in our culture and genetics. It is called neoteny, look it up

 

[Zysoclaplem]

I don't particularly like kids or adults, and would much rather save a puppy.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: d2arcturus
What ever happened to corporal punishment in schools? Not to mention spanking at home.

Now kids are doing drugs and shooting up schools. They all need beatings. I was beat, and I'm glad I was.

I went to a private school on the East coast with corporal punishment. I agree that corporal punishment has its merits, but I had a racist teacher and I was the only minority in my class when I was very young (about 5). Definitely not a good mix. They ended up letting the teacher go, but believe me, I got paddled for just being asian. I got locked in the room by myself while the kids went out to recess. The principal found out because he walked in to the classroom one time and saw me being paddled and the teacher couldn't explain why. The principal was the only one that had the authority or permission to do that. I was too young to really explain to my parents what happened, and they only found out later on when I was older and realized what had happened, otherwise that school would have been in a lot of trouble, but it definitely wasn't a good experience. It explained why I became such a quiet kid around that time to them too.

Even still, I would totally warrant corporal punishment if done correctly. Incorrectly, it can scar a child. I still have memories of that stuff. But if done correctly, it isn't a bad thing.

The new teacher was amazing though, and I am glad I went to that private school. It was definitely a great place to learn.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: goku
I don't understand why people would go to greater lengths (seemingly) to save a newborn child than to save an adult? The way I look at it is like rounding, either round up or round down, if they're really young, round down, if they're older, round up.

because children don't know better and are learning

/thread

 

[LeiZaK]

I say let them both die. It's getting too crowded around here as it is.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

I would save twins though. That's just too cool.
I wish I had a twin.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Becuase people are stupid. Children aren't, and they deserve a chance...

Ugh, and the stupid people are out in force today...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I helped save a child once who was in breaking surf and being pulled out over her head. There wasn't even a moment's hesitation. Her sister was calling for help because she was too far out and couldn't get in. Waves were a good head high that day too. She would have drowned were it not for my friend and I.

If there was an adult out there in trouble at the same time I probably would have still gone for the child first. An adult is stronger and should have a better chance of surviving longer in most situations.

I guess it comes down to who is the most vulnerable. Clearly children are.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: DaShen
It is ingrained in our culture and genetics. It is called neoteny, look it up

DaShen is right.

Neoteny is a biological term referring to juvenile characteristics displayed by the young or babies. Rounded faces in the young elicit feelings of care that are needed for survival. We care for babies and the young because of these features that are needed for their survival. Another feature is displayed in puppies with big clunky paws. This is a certain "cuteness" that elicits a caring response.

When Mickey Mouse first emerged on the scene, his features were rough and jagged. People did not embrace him as a cute little animal. Walt Disneys' artists adapted Mickey by crafting him to display neotenous features so we'd find him cute. A rounded face and other features evolved to elicit a caring response and particular "cuteness."

We will further find examples of neoteny in language where it is used to describe cute charateristics. In Spanish the suffix -ito or -ita is placed on Spanish words to denote something that is cute and elicits a caring response. Look at the words chaparito or chaparita. The same is true in German with the suffix -chen. Eichunhchen means squirrel and Flughörnchen means flying squirrel, both are cute little animals.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: uberman

Originally posted by: DaShen
It is ingrained in our culture and genetics. It is called neoteny, look it up

DaShen is right.

Neoteny is a biological term referring to juvenile characteristics displayed by the young or babies. Rounded faces in the young elicit feelings of care that are needed for survival. We care for babies and the young because of these features that are needed for their survival. Another feature is displayed in puppies with big clunky paws. This is a certain "cuteness" that elicits a caring response.

When Mickey Mouse first emerged on the scene, his features were rough and jagged. People did not embrace him as a cute little animal. Walt Disneys' artists adapted Mickey by crafting him to display neotenous features so we'd find him cute. A rounded face and other features evolved to elicit a caring response and particular "cuteness."

We will further find examples of neoteny in language where it is used to describe cute charateristics. In Spanish the suffix -ito or -ita is placed on Spanish words to denote something that is cute and elicits a caring response. Look at the words chaparito or chaparita. The same is true in German with the suffix -chen. Eichunhchen means squirrel and Flughörnchen means flying squirrel, both are cute little animals.

Wow, nice use of languages to elevate your point. I enjoyed that post!

 

[theprodigalrebel]

What's with the 'saving' you mention? I feel like I'm missing the background story or reading something out of context.

If you had a newborn child that was really sick (God forbid), would you say, "Well, we barely knew him. Let's take all the money we have and try to save some other terminally ill dude's life"?

If you did, your wife would probably kill/divorce you.

I have never noticed people being partial when trying to console/help someone sick. People take care of their loved ones equally, I believe. It's about how much you care for the individual, not their age. And yes, a parent's love for their child > *