At a science outreach conference organized by the Molina de Segura Foundation for Medical Studies (FEM), held at the Vega del Táder and Francisco de Goya Secondary Schools, both in Molina, Dr. Luis Gutiérrez Rojas, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Navarra and a specialist and PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Granada, spoke on the topic of ‘Keys to Maturity in Times of Uncertainty’.

What are the keys to maturity in times of uncertainty?

The idea I explore in these talks is the concept of maturity, and I like to use the story of The Wizard of Oz as an example. In this story, there are three characters: the Tin Man, who lacks feelings; the Scarecrow, who has no brain; and the Lion, who is cowardly and lacks willpower. Through this story, I want to talk about these three concepts: affectivity, cognition, and willpower. I believe we live in a world of uncertainty, one that is overly sentimental. Mature people know that feelings are important, but they cannot dominate us; we must be guided more by willpower and self-knowledge.

And which one is the most important for young people and teenagers?

When I ask them, they usually say the heart, and some people mention cognition. But very few people mention willpower, and that seems very typical of our times. Many parents say their children are very clever, but very lazy. And I tell them I wish I were very clumsy, but very hardworking. Furthermore, willpower can be developed, but it’s true that this ability to work to make the difficult easy is something people haven’t cultivated much.

You also advocate for education using humor. What flaws do you see in the current approach to education?

When I talk about educating with humor, I mean introducing an element of lightheartedness and laughing at oneself, without exaggerating our flaws. It’s true that teachers have somewhat lost their authority. They need to be a bit more demanding and more tolerant of failure and frustration. And they have to be able to handle rejection. I see suicide attempts in the hospital by young men and women because of breakups. It makes no sense that, faced with their first real conflict, they should have self-destructive feelings. So, they need to be more accustomed to facing challenges and overcoming them.

Are children overprotected these days?

Parents want the best for their children, and sometimes they try to make things so easy for them that they become dependent. On the other hand, we have a terrible fear that our children will suffer, that they won’t do anything difficult. If they aren’t hurt now, they will be later. Suffering and pain are part of life.

What has the pandemic done to this society?

The danger has been the constant refuge of the internet at home. Young people have had a hard time because they need to be connected. And now we must be very vigilant to ensure that young people don’t develop isolating behaviors and seek refuge in themselves, because that can lead to depression and anxiety. We must find something positive in every crisis.

Source:  www.laverdad.es