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Parenting

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Original poster

So DS (8yo) thinks that geeks are losers

39 replies

soapbox · 30/04/2008 09:54

But he is undoubtably, without question a geek!

How do we prepare him for the day when it dawns on him?

How do we get him thinking that geeks can be cool?

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Mercy · 30/04/2008 09:58

What's his definition of a geek though? (and your's?)

I know someone who had geek potential at around your ds' age. He is now a cool teenager!

morningpaper · 30/04/2008 09:58

hehe!

he'll soon learn

I went into DD;s classroom yesterday (Reception) and they had a display on the wall called "What we will be when grow up" and she'd painted a picture of herself and written "I want to be a Mummy and work on a computer all day"

Callisto · 30/04/2008 10:21

Geeks are cool though. How about Steven Hawking, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs (created Apple), Marie Curie, Meg Whitman. The list is endless.

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Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:22

Oh you know - not so sporty, loves computers, maths and science. Spends all his spare time obsessed with weird things like jet engines and war!

Just a bit nerdy I suppose!

LOL - MP!

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Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:25

Callisto - I agree that in the longer term they probably are - but school boys don't go nuts over Bill Gates in the same way that they do for Ronaldinho or the like do they?

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tobytortoise · 30/04/2008 10:34

I can't stand words like 'geeks' 'losers' and 'nerdy'. I really think they need challenging.

KerryMum · 30/04/2008 10:39

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Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:39

Well we do challenge them at home - obviously - but this is the currency of the playground it would seem.

I think the fact that DS hasn't associated himself with the word 'geek' yet might mean that they are just words at the present time, used without really understanding their meaning.

But to the extent that those words do have meaning (and of course they do) when DS realises that, I think he is going to be hurt by them.

I can challenge the connection between the words (geek and loser) but not necessarily the meanings of the words themselves.

Somehow I think I am going to have to try and change his mindset and make geeks 'cool'!

It is a serious issue - boys underachievement in school is pretty much linked to this whole concept that being quirky and bright is geeky /nerdy and being nerdy is not cool!

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Callisto · 30/04/2008 10:40

But they do go mad over computer games which are dreamed up, designed and programmed by geeks.

marina · 30/04/2008 10:41

Any good role models at school soapy?
DS' ICT teacher is funny and inspirational and they just get on well socially too
Ds went from furious denial of boffin tendencies at six/seven to a realisation that it was a useful thing to be at eight. He is in demand to help with DS Lite impasses, word meanings, French homework etc - and in return gets football coaching and help with his nemesis game, Pokemon Pearl
I think in a year or so's time your ds will gracefully bow to the inevitable

Callisto · 30/04/2008 10:41

Also, most geeks are happy to be called geeks. It isn't a derogatory term to them which is why I am happy to use it.

Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:41

That's a good one Callsito - I can definitely use that one!

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marina · 30/04/2008 10:43

Is your ds getting called this sort of thing in the playground then? Is it affecting his popularity? Easy for me to suggest age-based resolutions, we've not had this problem tbh

Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:45

I hope so Marina - I really hope so!

There is a big football/non football divide opening up at the moment and the geeks as losers thing is all part of this, I fear.

Thankfully the non footie boys are in the majority - for now...

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KerryMum · 30/04/2008 10:48

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marina · 30/04/2008 10:48

Football is just not big in ds' class, thank goodness. But it WAS for a time in Yrs1-3
Ours have aimicably divided into jocks and nerds as of Yr 4, with a small subset of surf dudes ...in suburban London! No goths yet

Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:49

Sorry crossed with your second post Marina

Yes, I think there is a gap opening up - all of DS's good friends are in the same group, but I think he does feel hurt by one or two of the football boys that he used to be quite friendly with.

In fact he point blank refused to invite them to his party this year - a sign of changing times I think.

I don't think it is particularly serious yet - but I think it will be once he realises he is one of the 'geeks' they are calling a loser!

He'll survive though - there are enough of them for him to be in good company

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Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:50

Marine - well I did go for the school with the massive playing field didn't I?

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KerryMum · 30/04/2008 10:51

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marina · 30/04/2008 10:51

Ds still has a bit of a needle going on with one super-sporty fellow, but it is almost for form's sake now and they actually get on OK. Things were not so cordial in Yrs 2 and 3 though.

Callisto · 30/04/2008 10:51

Kerrymum, I really meant older geeks. It is hell to be labled something 'bad' at school and the most innocuous things can become horrible lables.

KerryMum · 30/04/2008 10:51

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marina · 30/04/2008 10:52

But at the rate they are building on it soapy the children will soon be reduced to acrobatics and lolo ball expertise, like ours

Callisto · 30/04/2008 10:54

Crossed posts there Kerrymum?

I do realise how shit it is to be bullied at school, I was bullied mercilessly for years because my accent was different to the rest of the school children, and was labled 'posh'.

Original poster

soapbox · 30/04/2008 10:55

Sorry KM - wasn't really meaning to ignore you.

I think DS will get through this - my DH is as big a geek as you could ever imagine and he hero worships him

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