So Chad and I were streaming a video about the differences in parenting in France and America, and one of the points that stuck out to me was that French parents tend to be more persistent with their children than American parents. I don't actually care if that is true or not, but I did start to think about the differences between persistence and stubbornness and why they have such different connotations in our society.
At first I almost thought that the difference was merely in the level of the symptoms. Meaning that persistence denotes pursuing a goal to a reasonable extent; whereas, stubbornness is when one displays irrational abandon in pursuing the said goal. After some discussion we decided that this might not be true, that the magnitude of the behavior didn't determine the condition.
Then, without warning, it hit me. I realized that maybe persistence is defined by repeated, noble efforts to elevate oneself and others to a higher condition, but stubbornness is repeated, defensive actions that try to avoid change. In general, persistence is a means for positive change and stubbornness is a defense against it. In fact, persistence and stubbornness are not the same, but exactly opposite in purpose although similar is action.
A good example would be the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists. Many of the blacks showed godly persistence in fighting for what was right, while many others showed terrible stubbornness in resisting the desired changes.
Although, I have just realized that my definitions are not altogether accurate, because persistence doesn't always call for change and stubbornness doesn't always avoid it. I suppose the real difference is in motive. Persistence fights for what is right while stubbornness fights for what is wrong.
Persistent Stubborn
God Satan
Rockies Yankees
Licorice Spring Greens
..... .....
You get the point...
At first I almost thought that the difference was merely in the level of the symptoms. Meaning that persistence denotes pursuing a goal to a reasonable extent; whereas, stubbornness is when one displays irrational abandon in pursuing the said goal. After some discussion we decided that this might not be true, that the magnitude of the behavior didn't determine the condition.
Then, without warning, it hit me. I realized that maybe persistence is defined by repeated, noble efforts to elevate oneself and others to a higher condition, but stubbornness is repeated, defensive actions that try to avoid change. In general, persistence is a means for positive change and stubbornness is a defense against it. In fact, persistence and stubbornness are not the same, but exactly opposite in purpose although similar is action.
A good example would be the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists. Many of the blacks showed godly persistence in fighting for what was right, while many others showed terrible stubbornness in resisting the desired changes.
Although, I have just realized that my definitions are not altogether accurate, because persistence doesn't always call for change and stubbornness doesn't always avoid it. I suppose the real difference is in motive. Persistence fights for what is right while stubbornness fights for what is wrong.
Persistent Stubborn
God Satan
Rockies Yankees
Licorice Spring Greens
..... .....
You get the point...
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