Talented Youth: Bullied and Awarded

This post has good news and bad news for gifted and talented youth.

First, the bad news. A study by the U.K.-based Anti-Bullying Alliance found that:

• More than 90 percent of British children have been bullied or saw others being bullied because they are gifted and talented.
• More than a quarter of the 11-16-year-olds surveyed said they quit an activity for fear of being bullied, and half downplayed a talent for the same reason.
• One in ten children hid their science ability, and one in five girls (and one in ten boys) deliberately underachieved in math to avoid being bullied.

This U.K. study's findings are consistent with a previous U.S. study that found high-achieving students' (especially African-Americans and Latinos) grades dropped as a result of bullying. And a University of Virginia study also found a link between bullying and high school dropout rates.

Now, the good news for talented youth. First Lady Michelle Obama presented Oakland's Youth Radio with the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the highest honor for after-school arts and humanities programs. Among the awarded programs were a New York debate league, an African culture group, and a mariachi apprentice program honoring the Mexican-American experience in Los Angeles.

At the White House awards ceremony, the First Lady said, "In spite of all the challenges and obstacles our young people face, in spite of all their fears and doubts, you teach them art anyway. You teach them that no matter what life throws their way, if they draw back on their own talent, creativity and courage; if they're persistent and tenacious and bold, then they can truly make something extraordinary out of their lives."