In her article “Don’t Call Introverted Kids Shy,” Susan Cain discusses what it means for a child to be withdrawn and held back. She begins by providing a clear illustration of how society would consider two different types of kids. If children are outspoken and hyperactive, they are considered social and normal, but when a kid is withheld and not so active, they are considered a loner. The author tries to explain that there is a massive difference between being shy and being introverted. Cain introduces introversion as being differently social or having a careful temperament. She further describes how the quality of introversion is not supposed to be viewed as a vice but should be considered a good trait. Introverts have helped develop solutions to the world’s problems and have become significant people. Cain, therefore, claims that society ought to accept introverted children as they are and should foster the relationship between introverts and extroverts (Cain). Introversion plays an important role in society but only if it is positively accepted.
Many people confuse introversion to be shyness, this is, however, not true. In her article, Cain elaborates that introversion should not be confused with shyness. She clearly elaborates that there is a considerable difference between shy children and those that are introverted (Cain). Accepting children as they are and helping them adapt to their features is significant to their self-esteem. In the article, Cain states that introversion can be a significant feature in children (Cain). She claims that even though introverted children are socially different, they have a soft temperament and tend to have an increased concentration on their environment. They have the ability to concentrate more on their environment and notice events that their extroverted counterparts may not see. Moreover, they always perform better in academics than their peers and have a better understanding than extroverts. These statements, therefore, show that introversion is not a vice but a trait that can be nurtured into something special. Introversion is, therefore not a weakness but a strength for children if they are accepted as they are.
The author asserts that introverted children have careful attention and tend to concentrate on events and their surroundings as compared to extroverts. Inventors such as Albert Einstein and famous people such as Steve Wozniak have all been introverted individuals. Withdrawn individuals also grow up to become understanding and efficient leaders. They become good managers due to their careful temperament and alert attention to situations compared to their extroverted counterparts (Cain). Therefore, introversion in children should not be treated as an abnormal behavior but should be viewed as any other human trait that exists. The world cannot be full of introverts, and neither can it be full of an extroverted individual who is hyperactive. The coexistence of both introverted and extroverted people should be embraced for a promising future.
In this article, Cain entirely differentiates between shyness and introversion. She describes why a child would be termed as an introvert and one defined as shy. Cain further clarifies why society should not see introversion as an abnormality or a disadvantage. She uses quality references to justify her claims and points out that introversion is an essential trait of extroversion. She considers all the possibilities of a world where introverts and extroverts can co-exist as equally normal human beings. Cain’s main claim makes sense, and it should be known that introverted kids are not shy, and introversion is not a disadvantage but a strength.
Work Cited
Cain, Susan. “Don’t Call Introverted Children ‘Shy’.” Times, 2012, Web.