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Gerald Deutsch Special user 526 Posts |
Teaching Magic To Bullied Children
Premise It is tragic when a youngest is bullied especially now with the computer and E mail, Facebook etc. The bullied youngster is alone and feels worthless and has nowhere to turn and suicide is sometimes the result. It is tragic. If that youngster was taught magic – how to entertain with effects that others couldn’t do perhaps that would instill some pride and a feeling of worth. And perhaps that might lead to friendship with another – or others that would be interested in magic. Problems and Questions 1 How do we reach bullied children? 2 How many bullied children would be interested in learning magic? 3 Who would teach them? 4 On what premises? Who would be there? 5 What would be the magic to be taught? What would be the magic to be taught? The “basics” would have to be taught but perhaps not at first. This would include: Presentation and Routining – the need to entertain Misdirection, Timing and Patter Then effects would have to be taught, a combination of simple self-working tricks and some sleights that take some practice. What are your thoughts? |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
My first thoughts are you a wonderful guy to have thought of this idea but I think I need some time to think about it. In my experience it is hard to know when a child is being bullied.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
seconded to Jerry being one of the good guys. He and Sol are a great positive influence for the Saturday gatherings.
I'm concerned that adding guile to in-process suffering could make things worse. ??? ecology check? IE are they out of the environment in which they were tormented? family dynamics settled? After they are reachable and can reach out - sure maybe they'd like to do card tricks or puppets or origami... all by itself it may simply lead them to use the mechanics available in magic tricks to avenge and torment those who bullied them - to escalate the cycle of intimidation / abuse? when it's safe and they learn how to be open (does not mean vulnerable) to others - magic is just one of many forms of offering some amusement to ones peers.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Michael Kamen Inner circle Oakland, CA 1315 Posts |
Michael Kamen
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Russell Davidson Inner circle Hampshire, England 1108 Posts |
I'd have to recommend boxing over magic for a bullied child. A bully will take delight in ruining a magic performance but lets see how he fairs with a couple of swift jabs & a right hook
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ShirtlessKirk Loyal user 236 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-02 08:09, Russell Davidson wrote: Agreed, Boxing, martial arts, wrestling, or one of those MMA schools that are so popular right now. The ability to defend one's self may be the best gift to give a bullied child. |
Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
And when the lessons fail, he sinks deeper.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
Nicholas Special user I predict that I now have 900 Posts |
Worth is not found in skills nor power. We need to ask ourselves, "What is it that results in a recognition of one's own worth - and of every person's worth?" Performing magic must not contribute to it because I've watched a number of magicians bully their audience.
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Ronin Loyal user Martinez,CA 216 Posts |
It's really nice that you've thought of this, and want to use magic to help bullied kids.
But I think you're probably asking for help in the wrong place...you don't need the help of magicians to launch this, you need the help of people who help kids with their problems--teachers, clergy, social workers, medical professionals, etc. When Copperfield came up with Project Magic, he teamed up with healthcare professionals. I've worked quite a bit with kids, helping teach reading and martial arts (not at the same time!). In theory, learning martial arts will instill confidence and discipline; in my experience, this will take a LOT of time and effort on the part of teacher, student and parents. No quick magical fix here, but good can happen over time. Same is true with teaching remedial reading skills. I'm not a pro at any of this, but when I do this work, it's under the guidance of trained professionals who keep things on track. I think it'd be great if you could make this work--good luck with it.
David Hirata
www.thingsimpossible.com "Life is a combination of magic and pasta." --Federico Fellini |
foolsnobody Special user Buffalo, NY 843 Posts |
I just read an article in the NY Times online about a 12 year old girl who committed suicide after cyberbullying that went on and on. With the cyber stuff you can't punch them; you often don't know who the perpetrators are.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/us/sui......20130914 |
Gerald Deutsch Special user 526 Posts |
As you all probably know, magic can be very consuming and my thought is to get the bullied youngster away from Facebook etc and on to something else that will take up their time.
I have come up with 4 sessions, each with self working effects and each with some sleight that requires practice. I learned from another magic forum that a magician - psychologist in England who siad "teaching children magic boosts confidence" and in a book about bullying the author writes, "giving children who are targeted the opportunity to shine and participate in activities that allow them to dive into things that complement their personalities can be a vital asset for them". I recently met with a princpal of a middle school who was very interested and I expect to meet this month with the person in that school in charge of their mentering program. I really don't know if this will work - I hope it does and I am aware of many problems in getting it to work but if it can prevent another suicide I think the effort is worth it. |
landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
In my experience, I have seen how teaching children how to do simple tricks well is helpful for self-esteem: 1) because the child gains a measure of competency, 2) because an adult has thought enough of them to entrust them with a secret. I would be wary of claiming that it could reverse the effects of bullying, but I think Jon's concerns, though thoughtful, are not really an issue. A bullied child is already well acquainted with the mechanics of guile--and it might be a relief to put them within an acceptable framework of entertainment.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
KellyCurtis New user 14 Posts |
Maybe its just me but...i think the moral of the story is that no matter a kids background, we as magicians should share with them. a kids smile is worth a million
"True success and satisfaction go only to those who really comprhend the underlying principles of why a trick succeeds or fails."-Greer Marechal
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