As humans, we tend to interpret people’s action through the lens of our own experiences. When we see someone tackling a task we consider to be challenging, we tend to project our own thoughts and actions onto them. These situations can trigger feelings of stress or envy like, “Oh! This is so stressful and difficult to do.” or “Why do they get all the luck? I’m just as capable.”
Yet, more often than not reality can be strikingly different. For the individual actually doing the task, it might just be another day at the office, as effortless and familiar as taking a bath. The way we interpret stress can be highly subjective, and understanding why some people feel burdened by certain tasks while others breeze through them can offer us insights into the complex nature of stress.
A professional athlete who effortlessly performs in front of thousands of people, might find the task of giving a formal speech to a small group of people to be incredibly stressful. Conversely, a professor who gives lectures to groups of students daily might panic and become overwhelmed at the idea of competing in front of a massive audience.
Cultural and Environmental Influences
Our perception of difficulty is heavily influenced by our cultural context and environment. What seems insurmountable in one society might be considered routine in another. In some countries, speaking multiple languages may be seen as exceptional, while in others, it is considered the norm. In cultures where speaking multiple languages is viewed as a standard skill, individuals tend to approach language learning casually, as it is considered a part of daily life.
Mistakes and imperfections are seen as part of the learning process and there’s less judgment. Conversely, in cultures where multiple languages are uncommon, learning an additional language is seen as an extraordinary skill. This higher level of distinction places more pressure on the individual to succeed, they may feel like they’re being evaluated on their ability, leading to heightened stress and anxiety.
These cultural differences shape our baseline for what constitutes a stressful situation. The environment we grow up in calibrates our stress response system. Some of us may have heard of the saying “Good times make weak men, and bad times create strong men,” illustrating the connection between hardship and resilience, implying that hardship is necessary for building strength. Yet, the reality is often far more complex. The idea that hardship automatically builds resilience is a common misconception.
The development of resilience is influenced by many factors, not just challenging experiences. The outcomes of a challenging childhood can yield different developmental outcomes. While children in some cultures develop extraordinary resilience, demonstrating an ability to overcome obstacles, adapt swiftly and approach life with optimism. In a different cultural context, identical experiences can lead children to develop an increased vulnerability to stress, making them more prone to burnout and other harmful effects.
These differences aren’t random or simply due to individual temperaments, but rather, are significantly shaped by cultural factors, societal values and the environment in which children develop. These factors not only shape how children react to adversity but also how they define strength, resilience and emotional well-being.
Curious to learn how children in different cultures understand resilience and stress through similar activities? Like and follow for Part 2!
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