An Adult's Gaze on a Group of Children

Whether you’re eight years old, eighteen or eighty, this story is still relevant.

Discussion with my daughter this morning on the way to school:

My daughter: I like going to the pool because my teacher tells me I dive well.

Me: You like going to the pool above all because you like to swim and you like to dive.

My daughter: Yes, yes, it is true.

Me: For example, you see, let’s say you like judo and someone tells you “You suck,” you’re not going to stop doing judo. You do judo first and foremost because you like doing it. You do things for yourself and not for others, based on what they think.

This is an anecdote illustrating the weight of another’s gaze; a gaze that must be “put in its place.”

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