For our own sense of security, we like to assume that "the way things are always done" is the best way, or the way things should be done; that educated professionals especially know what they are talking about, and the things they ask us to do are for a reason.
However, science is usually based on assumptions, not facts and even the most well meaning professionals misguide us when their education and experience is based on those assumptions. For example, most women today give birth in hospitals, on their backs with their feet in stirrups. Did you know there is no medical basis for this? It's just a tradition that we assume serves a purpose. Do you want to know what that purpose originally was?
King Louis the XIV of France was something of a voyeur, and insisted the ladies of his court give birth reclining on a high table. This gave him the best view of the birth, for his own gratification. And now, even though its known and researched that birthing on your back with your legs up causes more pain and more complications, doctors still deliver this way, often because they have never learned any other way to attend a birth. Isn't it nice that we are trusting professionals, assuming everything they do is for our best good, when really its simply providing the best view to passersby?
My son has a book called Boy Were We Wrong about Dinosaurs that discusses the different assumptions made about paleontology over the years. We seem to have been wrong about everything from the way dinosaurs stand to where their horns go, and how they cared for their young. What he learns about dinosaurs as per the experts is based on a completely different set of assumptions than 20 years ago when I was learning about them!
Finally, I've noticed recently that a lot of the philosophies teachers base their "best practices" on are not based on the most valid research about how children learn, more on the way things have always done. As newer ideas are replacing old in the field, the old assumptions don't melt away, the new ideas don't even trickle in to the classrooms without a major paradigm shift on the part of the teacher. It takes a very profound change in a teachers way of thinking to implement very small changes that are ultimately for their own and their students' best good. Why? Because its very difficult to change the mindset that what you were doing before was based on truth, even though the assumptions may have been faulty. After all, your intentions are for good, and you are doing your best.
When you know better, you do better.
-Maya Angelou
The difficult thing is coming to know better, even when that means abandoning ingrained ideas of what you've always done or what you were taught was the best. What assumptions are influencing your life, that may or may not be based on truth?
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This is a really thought provoking post Jen.
In my most recent pregnancy, I decided to try a non-medicated birth, and with the help of an excellent Nurse and Doula, ended up delivering Rebecca in a "squatting" position with my head and arms leaning on a pillow covered bench. Supposedly this is much less painful and a more effective way to deliver than flat on your back. When the baby came out, her face was also facing up (because of my position); making clearing her mouth and airway easier.
This was the most amazing delivery and I was so grateful.
I really had to question my prior assumptions and attempt something very foreign to me. Both Evan and I were so empowered by the experience. Thanks for letting me share. Great Post Jen!
At the moment my whole life seems to be in this dilemma, I'm quite busy at the moment shifting through what I "know" and what I should now learn. And the biggest thing I'm learning is to be flexible, and to trust my own intuition the most. Listen and learn everything, take what works, leave the rest and never assume that this is permanent or right for any other person.
When we first started homeschoolinig I had to fight the assumption that because I wasn't a trained qualified teacher I wouldn't be able to teach my children correctly. It took several years to get over that.
What a thought provoking blog, Jen. I've never given birth on my back (well, unless you count the c-section) and I've been so much more comfortable.
In addition, I replied to your comment about LDS fiction in my blog trail. Come read it. :)
Oh, and I identify with Montse, too. Been there.
One of the jobs I had when I was a kid was working as an unlicensed egg candle lighter for Maber Egg Co. When the USDA inspectors came I would switch places and work the "line" where cartons of eggs were placed in cases.
The line was back breaking and tedious, several workers lined up to sort various egg graded boxes as they passed for hours on end. I found that by sitting on a stool I could get the job done more efficiently and without my back hurting. It made the boss think I was lazy and so he removed the stools so nobody could sit.
Not long there after I got into an egg fight with some other young employees; I won the fight but lost the job. I don’t think it bothered me to lose that job, everyone knew where I worked from the smell and I couldn’t eat eggs for quite a while after. I have lots of jokes about that place; but please, don’t egg me on.
I always assumed modern medicine would be able to cure what ails me. So far, I'm still looking for that magic pill and have concluded that it does not exist.
Last winter I was finally able to make myself believe that the holidays are about family/religion/and enjoyment NOT about cards, gifts, traditions, or Martha Stewart. I wish I could have learned that a lot sooner.
Hey Jen,
I am currently writing another post, but am focusing on politics rather than cosmetics. I am trying not to endorse one particular Presidential candidate, but want to discuss why Hillary Clinton is the subject of so much superficial criticism from the press and people in general.
I think your quote on assumptions fits into my post so well that I wanted to include it, but first need your permission. I understand if you don't want me to include it, and if you would like to see a copy of the post prior to my publishing, just let me know.
Thanks, Jen
P.S. I am a big fan of Maya Angelou as well!
Jen-yes, please feel free to reference my post!
When I was in the hospital with my first child the nurses insisted on swaddling her so tightly she couldn't move.
She would scream and scream and then I would take off the blankets and put them loosely around her so she could wave her arms and legs. She stopped screaming and was much happier.
And then a stupid nurse who saw my then 21 year old self and figured I was 14 and didn't know anything would chew me out and tie my child up again. "All babies love to be swaddled up tightly like their in the womb."
Well when my baby was in the womb she liked to do gymnastics.
Sigh.
Thank you so much for letting me use your quote in my post called, "Should we judge our next President by their laugh?"
I hope it is something you can be proud of. XO Jen
We all need to learn to challenge assumptions more often. Where do you get a lot of your research from?
An Ordinary Mom-I think more important than where you get the research is the ability to evaluate whether it is valid. I use Pub Med a lot as well as have access to the University of Marylands online library. If I read something interesting to me, I usually research it further to try to get down to the real facts. Hope this helps.
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