Learned Helplessness

HAHA! The lad is the merest pupster when it comes to creating sad stories. If he or another of his ilk darkens your doorway again and interrupts your throwing slinky at fan studies, I would suggest that you hand him a list of local food banks. Some places even serve up a hot cooked meal to all who show up. You might also mention to this young gentleman that showing up at the soup kitchen in his '06 car will not win him many friends (other than the professional con element).

On a more serious note, this just goes to show how mental illness can be passed down the generations. Whacko Dad, whacko Son. Whatcha gonna do? Beats me!

I myself must admit that it hard to shed too many tears since the young man seems to be shedding more than enough of his own.

[wolf]

Originally Posted by marichiko

On a more serious note, this just goes to show how mental illness can be passed down the generations. Whacko Dad, whacko Son.

If you're going to be serious, please be serious.

In this case only stupidity has been identified as being genetically transmitted.

I didn't, incidentally, say dad was crazy-crazy. I said he needed treatment.

Dad is not tearing apart walls looking for transmitters, he isn't building a landing pad for the venusians in his back yard, nor is he turning into a wombat on nights of the new moon. he's under an extreme amount stress, and it got to him.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by wolf

Dad is not tearing apart walls looking for transmitters, he isn't building a landing pad for the venusians in his back yard, nor is he turning into a wombat on nights of the new moon.

Those were the kind I liked. I could handle the ones looking for transmitters.

[melidasaur]

Having worked with University students for quite sometime, I can say that this young man is not a rare case. Many people between the ages of 18-21 have been so coddled that they can't do anything for themselves. It is very frustrating and it makes me concerned for the world.

If you have children that are this age or going to be this age soon - CUT THE FLIPPIN' CORD!

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by wolf

Dad is not tearing apart walls looking for transmitters, he isn't building a landing pad for the venusians in his back yard, nor is he turning into a wombat on nights of the new moon.

First off, I'd have to say this guy needs to get motivated. Oh, sure, it might take some time to work up to the wombat transformation, but he could easily be working on that landing pad in his spare time. A little concrete, some patio blocks, couple of klieg lights and a teaspoon of neutronium, and he's halfway there.

Stress is bad. Extreme stress is extremely bad. I've been there. Not pretty.

Originally Posted by wolf

If you're going to be serious, please be serious.

In this case only stupidity has been identified as being genetically transmitted.

I didn't, incidentally, say dad was crazy-crazy. I said he needed treatment.

What? You're never going PC on me, are you Wolf?

Fine, I'll be serious. I never said anything about genetics. It may have seemed that way, since I wrote "from one generation to the next." I apologize for my unclear wording. Environmental conditions play as greater or greater role in emotional dysfunction as genetics does.

I was merely commenting that a parent who lacks coping skills to the extent tha he finds himself having to spend several days on a psychiatric unit, has probably not been able to give his children adequate coping skills either. (I'm assuming the father was not recently held hostage at gun point or experienced some other extreme event that would put ANYBODY on the psych ward).

I was actually thinking of the ax murderer when I made my original reply. The A.M. was present for his eldest daughter's first three years of life - in fact, he was her primary care giver up to the time she was almost 4 - until the A.M. absconded with a younger woman and deserted his wife (then pregnant with his second daughter) and little girl. (I've been finding out all kinds of horrid information about the AM since I am trying to get together evidence for a case that the DA will accept). Anyhow, the daughter born AFTER the AM left seems normal in every way - in fact she excels. Got a scholarship to a private colllege, got accepted to med school, goes rock climbing, and has an active social life. The daughter raised by the AM in her 1st three years still lives with her mom at age 26, has a brand new car that she's afraid to drive anywhere, works in a video store, and has never been on a date in her life. Go figure.

There. Serious enough for you?

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by marichiko

HAHA! The lad is the merest pupster when it comes to creating sad stories.

I don't really need to say anything to make this funny, do I?