Why do you think some people are more resilient than others (i.e., overcoming negative life events such as poverty, violence, the death of loved ones, early troubles with the law, and so forth)?
Most people are born with a natural ability to want to succeed despite their circumstances or the negative life events they face. Fear plays a significant role in why some people succumb to the traumas they are subjected to. That fear leads to doubt, and over time, that doubt turns to hopelessness. Although I am not sure which came first, the desire to succeed or the fear, I know unhealthy modeling from caregivers and environmental circumstances may be equally to blame for people's inability to push through all obstacles that stand in their way.
What are your thoughts?
Thank you for your input Myke, I definitely support the modeling theory of resiliency, which gives support to the nature aspect of building resilient people. I think as parents and future parents we have to be conscious of how we handle adversity around our children, because they are paying attention to our every move.
I think role models during time of distress teach people how to react to fear. Those with strong individuals who push through adversity no matter what prove to those around them that adversity is life. Those who fail to understand problems arise as a natural part of life are those who do not succeed when life gets tough.