Encouraging or Overbearing?
Brooke McBee
Brooke McBee
Despite existing solely in the mind, people’s expectations of certain situations can have a direct correlation with the outcomes they receive. This is due to the power of suggestion and its ability to unconsciously alter people’s behavior, impacting how they perform and act to closer match that of their predictions. However, when overloaded with an extensive amount or unreachable standard, expectations can overwhelm, intimidate, and strain those afflicted with them.
Vanessa Wong, a Hillgrove sophomore, explains that expectations can be “motivating as they often push people to work harder, having a positive impact on them. But some people have unrealistic standards of what they want for themselves or others, which can lead to stress and disappointment.”
Abbigayle Mouchakkaa, a tenth grader, further develops the idea that expectations - when realistic - can be effective, but if used excessively, can have detrimental ramifications: “If you go into something with a positive mindset, expecting it to have a good outcome, it often will. The same can be applied to the way people act - if you express that you want certain things from others, they will likely try their best to provide that, but that’s not to say they won’t ever falter. I think others often forget that no matter how much you may desire someone to do or be something, they are still human. They aren’t perfect and they will mess up at one point or another, but that isn’t taken into enough consideration. For example, in a relationship, your significant other may do something you don’t like and, in return, you may break up with them or never be able to look at them the same, throwing away a person and/ or relationship before discovering its full potential.”
In addition, expectations can have a significant effect on one’s mental state, especially those whose brains are still developing. “People will tirelessly work themselves trying to lift the burdens of other’s wants just to be torn back down. It messes with your mind, constantly making you worry that, to some, you’ll always be a disappointment who’s unable to fulfill other’s wishes. This can worsen people’s insecurities and anxiety, especially since most expectations are placed on teenagers who are already struggling with these problems.”, Mouchakkaa expresses. But while Mouchakkaa focuses on the effects of what others expect, people’s own standards for themselves can have just as much, if not more, of an impact. Wong reveals that sometimes “the highest expectations we are held to are our own. Sure, others may pressure you to be some type of way, but we are, more often than not, our biggest critics.”
To avoid letting others or oneself down, Atallia Stewart conveys that one may go to extreme lengths to meet specific objectives, especially if it has to do with a physical characteristic: “Guys usually expect women to have a skinny body and there are girls who don’t consider themselves skinny, so in order to meet men’s wishes, they might starve themselves.” Actions like these can have severe and life-threatening consequences that just go to showcase the horrors of unrealistic standards.
Though maintainable expectations can serve as motivators towards a brighter future, expecting too much from someone can do quite the opposite. It is crucial to consider other’s efforts before trying to place them on an unreachable pedestal, as their attempted climb to the top may result in a fatal fall.
Vanessa Wong, a Hillgrove sophomore, explains that expectations can be “motivating as they often push people to work harder, having a positive impact on them. But some people have unrealistic standards of what they want for themselves or others, which can lead to stress and disappointment.”
Abbigayle Mouchakkaa, a tenth grader, further develops the idea that expectations - when realistic - can be effective, but if used excessively, can have detrimental ramifications: “If you go into something with a positive mindset, expecting it to have a good outcome, it often will. The same can be applied to the way people act - if you express that you want certain things from others, they will likely try their best to provide that, but that’s not to say they won’t ever falter. I think others often forget that no matter how much you may desire someone to do or be something, they are still human. They aren’t perfect and they will mess up at one point or another, but that isn’t taken into enough consideration. For example, in a relationship, your significant other may do something you don’t like and, in return, you may break up with them or never be able to look at them the same, throwing away a person and/ or relationship before discovering its full potential.”
In addition, expectations can have a significant effect on one’s mental state, especially those whose brains are still developing. “People will tirelessly work themselves trying to lift the burdens of other’s wants just to be torn back down. It messes with your mind, constantly making you worry that, to some, you’ll always be a disappointment who’s unable to fulfill other’s wishes. This can worsen people’s insecurities and anxiety, especially since most expectations are placed on teenagers who are already struggling with these problems.”, Mouchakkaa expresses. But while Mouchakkaa focuses on the effects of what others expect, people’s own standards for themselves can have just as much, if not more, of an impact. Wong reveals that sometimes “the highest expectations we are held to are our own. Sure, others may pressure you to be some type of way, but we are, more often than not, our biggest critics.”
To avoid letting others or oneself down, Atallia Stewart conveys that one may go to extreme lengths to meet specific objectives, especially if it has to do with a physical characteristic: “Guys usually expect women to have a skinny body and there are girls who don’t consider themselves skinny, so in order to meet men’s wishes, they might starve themselves.” Actions like these can have severe and life-threatening consequences that just go to showcase the horrors of unrealistic standards.
Though maintainable expectations can serve as motivators towards a brighter future, expecting too much from someone can do quite the opposite. It is crucial to consider other’s efforts before trying to place them on an unreachable pedestal, as their attempted climb to the top may result in a fatal fall.