Research Briefs

When the Gifted Grow up

What happens to gifted kids when they grow up? A hundred years ago, people feared that early ripe would lead to early rot, with gifted children growing up to lead difficult adulthoods. Numerous counterexamples have diminished that belief. Today, a more common discussion is about the differences between gifted males and females. One particularly well discussed difference commonly found between gifted males and females are their preferences. These preference differences can range from course enrollment and how to spend free time all the way to lifestyle choices, priorities in balancing careers and family, and relationships.

As part of a longitudinal study following a group of gifted youth as they grow up, a recent set of studies analyzed the life values and personal views of gifted kids who had reached adulthood. One thing that the study clearly showed was that there were large differences between males and females in their life values and personal views as they became adults and parents.

Similarities and Differences

Gifted males and females rated many things similarly, including the right to find the correct person to marry, wanting to provide their children with better opportunities than they had growing up, and having time to enjoy leisure. However, women tended to rate as more important having flexible work hours, strong friendships, doing community work, and living near family than did men. On the other hand, men were more likely than women to desire full-time careers, money, and to be recognized in their field.

Parenthood

Whether or not a male had children was rarely associated with different responses. However, females without children were more likely to give responses similar to those of males than to females with children. Mothers put more emphasis on career flexibility, making sure no one was left behind, and their ability to multitask.

Satisfaction

Despite valuing different aspects of life, the researchers report that all groups reported being generally satisfied with their lives and careers, but that parents reported being even more satisfied than those without children. In fact, the authors note that gifted children who grew up to have children of their own reported life satisfaction scores similar to the most satisfied comparison groups that been measured.

These findings show that despite having different values and goals in life, these gifted children-as they have grown into adulthood are generally satisfied with their lives. However, the satisfied life for one may look very different from one another.

—Matthew C. Makel

Matthew Makel is a Gifted Education Research Specialist at Duke TIP and the editor of DGL.