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I believe that most parents and teachers want their kids to succeed. And while we try to equip them with the best tools and information for their future life, there are some things we're teaching that are actually setting them up for failure. Whether by accident or due to a lack of self-awareness and knowledge, we give them these 'lessons' that do more harm than good when they come into practice.

One Reddit user wanted to get more opinions on what we need to stop teaching children, so they asked other users to share their thoughts. And they had some really insightful responses. People called out the toxic ideas that many are still putting into kids' young and impressionable minds, often without giving it a second thought. Society is evolving, and many ideas are already outdated and considered harmful, yet their echoes still come up when it comes to lecturing children.

Over 16k responses later, Bored Panda selected the most eye-opening responses to what we should stop telling children immediately. There are many 'facts' that are just rarely challenged, so let's not forget that even if we made a mistake, there's no shame in admitting and correcting it. Scroll down and upvote your favorite answers, share your thoughts, and if you think of anything that wasn't on this list, please tell us in the comments below!

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#1

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Abstinence only sex education. Please teach these kids about contraception and how it works, it’s been proven that comprehensive sex education is way better at preventing teen pregnancies than abstinence only.

Brief-Resolution2043 , Sam Balye Report

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The Doom Song
The Doom Song
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed. If the kids are gonna do it we can at least make sure they're doing it safely!

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#2

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful To just ignore bullies. As a former teacher, it does nothing to address the issue. The bullying persists 100% of the time.

PragueNole09 , Mikhail Nilov Report

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Tams21
Tams21
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. They're looking for attention from their friends, not the victim.

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#3

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful “Stranger Danger” it has some decent basic principles about safety, but the unfortunate truth is we need to teach children how to detect if adults in their life are treating them inappropriately just as much as strangers

kylestopthrowingfood , Lisanto 李奕良 Report

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Jessiebean
Jessiebean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. Especially from people who are around your children the most. Family members and friends!

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#4

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That play ends when you reach adulthood. Play is important, even when we're grown.

Malcolmpargin , Robert Collins Report

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Ziggyc
Ziggyc
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this,it's so true ..never ever stop playing and having fun

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#5

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Stop teaching kids *what to think*, and start teaching them *how to think.*

VictorBlimpmuscle , Max Fischer Report

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XenoMurph
XenoMurph
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm, but with a lack of experience, they will come up with the wrong conclusion a lot of the time. So you kinda have to do both. I WILL teach her not to be a racist, making up her own mind on that is not acceptable.

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#6

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That failure is something to be ashamed of and to avoid at all costs. We all fail sometimes and we need to be able to accept that.

Ineluki_742 , Pixabay Report

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#7

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful If he’s mean to you, he likes you

forgetxreality , Daniil Onischenko Report

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Shark Lady
Shark Lady
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's closely linked to boys will be boys, suggesting that women and girls should excuse bad behaviour because it's somehow their fault that men and boys aren't able to control themselves around women.

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#8

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That you are only successful and happy with a college degree, married, and have children.

KMermaid19 , RUT MIIT Report

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The Doom Song
The Doom Song
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm yes that degree that has no job prospects, kids that you can't afford and a marriage where you barely see each other coz you have 6 jobs between you to feed those darn kids. Yes success!!!

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#9

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That you have to give relatives a hug or kiss if they ask for one.

UnoriginalUse , Askar Abayev Report

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Shark Lady
Shark Lady
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a rule that my daughter had to greet guests and say goodbye, however she got to choose how that happened. Some people she hugged, others she gave a high five and some she just spoke. You can teach a child the importance of manners without making them give up their bodily autonomy. They need to learn that physical contact is a two yes, one no concept and the importance of consent.

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#10

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful You can get what you want if you’re nice.
It teaches children how to be manipulative & dishonest.

Instead, teach them to handle “No”.

Too many people grow up and get offended at being told “No”.

Teachers & Parents want their children to learn how to ask for things in a polite way - but not how to handle rejection.

My brother teaches children and he will actively tell kids “No” and encourage them to find alternative solutions that don’t infringe on someone’s decision.

CantAimMustPray , Boris Pavlikovsky Report

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NeonEmerald
NeonEmerald
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents did not teach me this and it caused so many issues later

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#11

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Family is everything. No sometimes their trash and need to be let go of.

Livid-Addendum707 , Patricia Prudente Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Folks need to understand that all people can suck. Mothers, fathers, doctors, etc. Your title doesn't make you exempt from screwing up or being a bad human.

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#12

that there are ‘things for girls’ and ‘things for boys’
(like colors, toys, etc)

iota404 Report

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Mulberry Juice
Mulberry Juice
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m still bitter that I wasn’t allowed to be the football goalie in reception. Reasoning was that “the boys will be too rough and may hurt you, and we don’t want to hurt your pretty face” that teacher was pretty sexist and infantilising towards the girl constantly

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#13

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Food pyramid as it is. It's wrong.

SorryIAmNew2002 , The food pyramid Report

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ejfs
ejfs
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aren't fruit and veg supposed to be in the bottom section nowadays?

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#14

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That it's acceptable to use devices in public loudly without headphones

Musashi1596 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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#15

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That ugly = bad/evil. I partially blame TV animation for this one though. This often makes kids fear elderly people and make unfair connections between appearance and personality.

_kevx_91 , Victoria Akvarel Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need to redefine "ugly". Villians used to often have bown/dark hair, for instance. As a kid I remember hating the fact that all the evil girls had dark hair. I wasn't evil - and I knew plenty of lighter haired girls that were.

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#16

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That while they are special, they are not any more special than anyone else.

OrganicUse , Vitolda Klein Report

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Tams21
Tams21
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or any less (depending on what the child needs to hear).

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#17

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful I don’t believe in forced apologies. They’re not legitimate apologies and the other child knows this. I also don’t feel adults should force children to accept an apology. Forced apologies and acceptances don’t have any benefits.

I am a 3rd grade teacher. My students know I won’t force an apology. Instead, I speak to the students about their choices and how it made others feel. I’ve found that, once students realize what they did, they do apologize on their own and the other student does accept it because they know the apology is sincere. Often times, students will even try to resolve the issue on their own. It’s common for students to ask me if they could speak alone in the hallway. They then return proudly stating that they resolved their issue.

Obviously, if something is not resolving itself, I’ll continue to help students through it. I will also step in for more significant disagreements. However, I’ve found that students are able to resolve issues an overwhelming majority of times. However, they are never truly resolved with forced apologies and acceptances of forced apologies because the underlying issue is still there.

ITeachMunchkins , Kat Smith Report

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#18

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That girls are weak or too emotional (I.e. crying like a girl or don’t be a p*ssy)

toooldforacnh , Dev Asangbam Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The vernacular needs to change. P*ssies can push a child out - they're STRONG. Male anatomy, however? One tap and they're out. So why does everything female mean weak ..? Or "daddy issues" - that means the MEN in a girl's family FAILED her, and yet it's a term used to demean the female victim?

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#19

Gender stereotypes.

My son asked me why he didnt have pretty dresses like me. I couldn’t answer his question, i asked him if he wanted to wear dresses like me. He said yes and i sew him one. He’s so happy!

Frosty_Limit7645 Report

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#20

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That Santa gives presents to "good" kids. When rich kids get a bunch of Christmas presents and poor kids don't, we're basically telling children that it is because the poor kids are bad and the rich kids are good.

filetemyoung , Taisiia Shestopal Report

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Unwelcome guest
Unwelcome guest
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just tell your kids that the rich people cheat and their parents bought the presents and hid the coal Santa gave them

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#21

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful “Please” isn’t a magic word. It often won’t get you want you want.

“I’m sorry” doesn’t erase a wrong and is only one small part of an apology, which the wronged party is not obligated to accept.

GrnHrtBrwnThmb , Monstera Report

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Tams21
Tams21
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But please is basic manners and is much more respectful than just demanding something. I think that makes it "magic" enough to be taught that way.

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#22

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful To push down their feelings and never cry. You don’t heal unless you work through your emotions. Support them, don’t scold.

harrypotter62 , Antoni Shkraba Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can attest to the 'never heal' part. I was screamed at and slapped for crying. I just can't let go anymore. I still cry, but I am not able to let truly go anymore.

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#23

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Boys dont cry

ZhenKira16 , Pixabay Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look, everybody poops and everybody cries. It's a fact of life, lol

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#24

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful They have to finish their plates, or they're being wasteful.

lnvalidSportsOpinion , Tanaphong Toochinda Report

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Liz Reid
Liz Reid
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eat til you're full, not til it's gone. (And if there is any food left, Daddy will probably eat it anyway! )

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#25

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That the size of your body (height included) is any measure of your worth.

jswoll , Sven Brandsma Report

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Michael Mckeon
Michael Mckeon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know what they say? Big nose, big feet, big hands...........................................one funny looking fella

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#26

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful kids learn by watching us. whatever we want kids to do or not do starts with grown-ups addressing our own hang-ups. full stop.

neuroboy , Taryn Elliott Report

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Mulberry Juice
Mulberry Juice
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Do what I say and not what I do” is very confusing to a small child

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#27

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful To accept collective punishment. Whomever did something to get in trouble for is who gets the punishment.

So many teachers do this to kids and it just breeds resentment for both the teacher and the kid who keeps getting the whole class in trouble.

I dont want my kids to be prepared to accept this as adults, and just deal with it from the govt, society, their employer, etc.

mostlikelynotasnail , cottonbro studio Report

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BobTDG
BobTDG
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Collective punishment just makes people hate the teacher and whomever keeps getting in trouble.

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#28

Religion in public schools

PM_ME_UR_FEET_69 Report

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RP
RP
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teaching religion is a great idea in all schools... i.e. reading the actual holy texts of multiple religions so that they actually know what is in them. Practising religion in any schools should not be allowed.

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#29

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful As a teacher, I'm always amused by the things people think we teach kids. "Stop teaching ______!"

You know what I spent significant time teaching this year? That soiled toilet paper goes in the toilet. That you can control how loudly you burp. That you have to charge a laptop computer for more than a minute to fill the battery.

Then you get the, "Why don't schools teach kids how to do taxes?" Yeah, kids love taxes. We couldn't get middle school kids to stop playing Fortnite long enough to focus on "The Human Body" unit for a week.

I'm just amused by all the things people think happen in schools.

And of course there is the notion that parents can teach kids, too. That's what we're doing with our son. If there's something important he needs to know, we're teaching it to him.

edgarpickle , note thanun Report

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eeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basic nutrition, simple cooking skills, finances, sewing/fixing the easy stuff....

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#30

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That you need to be friends with everyone.

No_Calligrapher2640 , Toa Heftiba Report

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Izzi C
Izzi C
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my home, my parents make a defined line between friends and friendly.

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#31

That challenging authority is wrong.

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Sonja
Sonja
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An authoritative argument is a faulty argument. Especially if the authority figure isn't even an expert in that topic. A pharmacologist isn't a doctor, a doctor is not neccessarily a medical scientist or up to date, and even science can fail. Of course, an experts opinion is important and should be heard, but that doesn't mean it's not worth asking questions or that it can't be inconclusive

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#32

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful Breakfast cereal is healthy

Lisa4today , Naseem Buras Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Certain types are better than others. I mean, look, I love my fruity pebbles and they're a nightmare, but plain bran flakes aren't unhealthy.

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#33

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That doctors are scary. Many parents threaten their kids with the doctor when kids don't listen to them.

SuvenPan , Ashkan Forouzani Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, I was taught that doctors were "authority figures" and therefore they couldn't be bad people. I was abused by d@mn near every doctor. We need the middle ground.

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#34

30 Things People Still Teach Their Kids That Are Not Only Wrong But Also Harmful That you need talent to be good at something.

Aaveri , Mikhail Nilov Report

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Ches Yamada
Ches Yamada
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm torn on this, because you often DO need talent to be good at something. Practice does not always make perfect - you need at least a little spark.

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