The Weight of Expectations: A Thematic Narrative of Gifted Adolescent Girls' Reflections of Being Gifted

• Published in: Roeper review 2020-01, Vol.42 (1), p.25-37
• Main Author: Guthrie, Kate H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: College Entrance Examinations; Diaries; Expectation; Expectations; Females; Gifted; gifted adolescents; Gifted children; Gifted education; gifted females; Girls; Group Discussion; group discussions; Groups; Journal Writing; Metacognition; Peer Influence; Physical Activities; Poetry; qualitative inquiry; Scores; Secondary School Students; Self Concept; sense of self; Student Attitudes; Summer Programs; Teenagers
• ISSN: 0278-3193; 1940-865X
• DOI: 10.1080/02783193.2019.1690080

What is it like to be a gifted adolescent girl in today's world? Situated in the context of a five-session group activity, called Gifted+Grounded, the purpose of this qualitative inquiry study was to better understand how two groups of gifted adolescent girls (Group 1 = 11, Group 2   = 14; Ages 13-16) made meaning of being gifted. The Gifted+Grounded activity was part of a two-term summer program for gifted and high ability adolescents in the United States and incorporated teen-friendly yoga, guided relaxation, journaling, and group discussion. In this narrative, I present the reader with three thematic findings: the pressure to please, a wavering sense of self, and feeling lonely at the top. I conclude with personal reflections and implications for teachers, parents, and researchers. A slam poem, written by a participant, introduces the article and demonstrates the complexity of what being gifted meant to her.