My daughter is unequivocally a fearless individual. She has never had an issue with jumping from high places, jumping from the diving board at 4, climbing fences or climbing to the top of the monkey bars. Mind, the helicopter mom that I am has freaked every time and has constantly been telling her no, let’s wait till you’re older.
Today’s New York Times, cites a study conducted by Dr. Inbal Kivenson Bar- On at the University of Haifa that shows high levels of fearlessness in 3 and 4 year olds is strongly associated with agression and lack of empathy. The study showed that kids in the study took advantage of friends and lacked regret over inappropriate conduct. “These kids are curious, easygoing, friendly but they have a hard time recognizing emotional distress in others” said Dr. Inbal Kivenson Bar – On
I say fiddledisticks, my daughter is all that they described, fearless, social, easygoing and friendly but she is one of most empathetic people I know. She has shown an innate capacity to look out for kids who are picked on. I know this because the moms have told me. She is intune with younger siblings and is more than happy to play with them to the chagrin of the older sibling.
