Don't pressure Bindi, warns psychologist

Herald Sun ^ | 21 September 2006 | Roberta Mancuso

[Aussie Dasher]

TOO much pressure is being placed on Bindi Irwin to follow in her father Steve's footsteps, a child psychologist warned today.

The eight-year-old is being touted as the next Crocodile Hunter after bravely telling the world at Irwin's memorial service yesterday: "I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end."

Newspapers today ran headlines describing Bindi as "the future of the dream" and "the little wildlife warrior".

Irwin's friend and manager, John Stainton, has predicted Bindi's fame could eclipse her father's within five years.

But Alison Garton, a professor of psychology at Western Australia's Edith Cowan University, said such statements put too much pressure on Bindi.

"She's obviously a very poised and mature eight-year-old, but I think some of these public statements are probably a bit extreme in this point in time," Prof Garton said.

"She's only eight and she probably doesn't even understand properly what it means not to have Daddy around anyway."

Irwin, 44, died after being struck in the chest with a stingray's barb while filming on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4.

Bindi, who is home-schooled, will return to work in two weeks to finish a 26-part series for the Discovery Channel in the US, which her father was shooting footage for when he died.

Prof Garton said Bindi probably felt she wanted to carry on her father's legacy after being intimately involved in his work all her life.

But there were dangers in putting too many expectations

[Aussie Dasher]

AS much as we might we might miss Steve, we have to accept he is gone.

It is unfair to expect Bindi to sacrifice her childhood in an attempt to take her dad's place.

[kms61]

agree with that, although as one of the psychologists said in the article, the childhood these kids had was not what the "average" child experiences.

The Irwin family is also a business, and somebody will have to be take over being the "face" of the franchise pretty soon. There are millions, if not tens of million dollars riding on the decisions that will be made in the next few weeks. Bindi's mother seems like a nice lady, but doesn't seem to have the personality nor the desire to be in the spotlight all the time. That leaves Bindi and/or her brother. I hope there are some wise people behind the scenes who can manage this without it harming the kids.

[Aussie Dasher]

Agreed. The business is multi-million dollar concern, with a lot of jobs riding on it but I still fear for little Bindi...

[BlessedBeGod]

I'm looking at this as an outsider, as I'd never heard of Steve Irwin until he died.

I've been taken aback at how everyone expects, and is so sure, that Bindi will take her father's place. Maybe she will, but she's so young that what sounds good to her now will have plenty of time and opportunity to change; she's awfully young to be making a decision on which direction her life is permanently going to take.

I know so many people are devasted by his death (and my condolences to you all), but she has her own life to live, and it just may end up not taking this direction after all. Too much can change in the meantime.

[GregH]

A pyschologist trying desperately to get her name in the news, always their opinions even when it is not needed.

[GregH]

A pyschologist trying desperately to get her name in the news, always offering their opinions in the media even when it is not needed.

[Aussie Dasher]

Normally, I'd probably agree with you but on this occasion, I reckon the old battleaxe has a point.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

JonBennett/ Patsy Ramsey redux, anyone?

[Aussie Dasher]

I'd hope things haven't got THAT bad yet...

[srmorton]

I don't know Terri, of course, but I have a feeling that she will protect those children with the same ferocity that Steve protected wild life. I'm sure that she will allow Bindi to complete the project she was working on because Steve would want her to do so. Terri is obviously devastated now, but she appears to have an inner strength that will enable her to keep Steve's legacy intact until Bindi and Bob are old enough to decide for themselves what they want to do. Steve's friends and employees will also be there to help and support her. I watched the memorial service on Animal Planet and it was obvious how much they loved Steve. He was not just a "meal ticket" to them but a man who inspired and motivated them to dedicate themselves to his cause.

[semaj]

I tend to think we coddle our children to the point that it retards their emotional development and socializing skills. I don't believe children are so delicate and tender that they might break due to heavy responsibility or expectaions. As an example, look at how America's west was won. Children participated in securing the frontier, enduring all sorts of hardship and deprivation, including hostile natives.

To be sure, we should let kids be kids, but at the same time allow their resoluteness come forth if they are so inclined.

[Aussie Dasher]

I'm not suggesting for a moment Bindi should be stifled in any way but I am most concerned she will be seen more as a meal-ticket than a cute little eight-year-old who deserves a childhood.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I watched the memorial service on Animal Planet and it was obvious how much they loved Steve. He was not just a "meal ticket" to them but a man who inspired and motivated them to dedicate themselves to his cause.

That's what I took away from it too when I watched the memorial service on Animal Planet. They all want to continue Steve's legacy of wildlife conservation and education, so I don't think Bindi, or Terri or Bob will have to shoulder the entire burden alone. In fact, I believe Steve would have wanted all of us to be a part of his legacy even if in some small part.

[Notwithstanding]

All the Irwin worship is scary.

Irwin became famous for having a show that was similar to "Jackass".

Now everyone expects his daughter to provoke animals for the camera for profit?

Of course the experts here will chime in that life for an Irwin is meaningless unlesss they are chasing adrenalin by provoking animals, and that we should all be so wonderful...

Ewww

[Notwithstanding]

And his cause was to foster love for the alligator?
To give people cheap thrills by proking alligators?

Famous people always come up with a cause to make it seem like their work is extra virtuous.

This guy was a personable pest control expert who turned that job into a lucrative sideshow. Very clever.

But I am not buying the hero part. I won't drink that koolaid. I didn't drink it when Princess Diana died, either.

[dawn53]

I think some kids "know" what they want to do witht their lives at a very young age.

If anything, her tribute to her Dad at the memorial service moved me to believe, she is "her Dad" in lots of ways. She has poise beyond her years, and she seems to be fine in front of the crowd (even in a sad situation like that of the memorial service.)

The fact is, she has already been doing the "job" since she was small. She's been on countless episodes and throroughly involved in the zoo, etc.

I think the family (mom and grandpa) and the staff will protect her from pressure, but I do think she is doing what she truly wants to do.

[Aussie Dasher]

I sincerely hope you're right.

Am I wrong to be concerned for her? I can't help but think of my own eight-year-old daughter...

[dawn53]

I think Bindi is surrounded by people that love her and are not out to exploit her. They will consider her well being, and they know the child much better than this child psychologist or any of us.

Terry and Steve's dad will be involved (and afterall, he raised Steve) plus the whole staff seems more like an extended family than an "enterprise."

The child is loved in a "normal" way, unlike some of the child stars we see in this country. She is in her own surroundings, comfortable because she's lived in the "limelight" her entire life.

[sauropod]

Agree wholeheartedly.

The world should leave her alone.

[onyx]

BUMP! A well stated and thoughtful post.