The Orchid and the Dandelion: Personality Types in Children and Adolescents

Dandelions can grow anywhere. You even see them popping up in between cracks in the sidewalk. They are hardy and resilient. They can withstand the harshest conditions. The orchid, on the other hand, is fragile and needs just the right environment to thrive. New research suggests that there are two types of children: dandelions and orchids. Much like the flowers themselves, dandelion children are adaptable and resilient whereas orchid children are much more sensitive to external conditions. We find both types of children and adolescents in our elementary and high schools. We know that some students require very little TLC, while others need constant encouragement and support. Some kids just make it look easy. They are the dandelions who can thrive no matter what. As educators, our jobs are made easy by the dandelions, but the orchids, while equally talented and filled with potential, require our patience and nurturing.

Stress is a major factor in a young person’s response to his or her surroundings. Those children who grew up in chaotic households, or were subject to physical or emotional abuse, are more likely to take on orchid qualities. We must be sensitive to the fact that not all children had the family stability of Leave it to Beaver. Children of turbulent upbringings are more likely to “grow up believing that the world is a dangerous and unfriendly place. So they tend to respond to stressful situations as someone would respond to a threat—anxiously and aggressively” (Wlassoff, 2015). Obviously, this can lead to negative outcomes such as behavioral problems and anxiety disorders. It is incumbent upon us to be aware of the ever-changing social climate, and to create within ourselves an empathic understanding of how young people view and respond to the world around them. Not all kids who “act out” are bad. Not all kids who are “depressed” need to be medicated. Some are just stressed or uncomfortable or anxious. We need to put the behavior in context before we judge, punish, or dismiss.

The good news is that psychologists believe that orchid children can, in fact, learn to thrive, and even “blossom into ‘dandelion’ [children]” (Wlassoff, 2015). This belief has led to programs such as Fast Track, which monitors high-risk children and offers interventions to help them learn how to deal with stress. Indeed, given the right growing conditions, the orchid, though delicate, can bloom into a beautiful flower. The orchid child is often sensitive and creative, which can lead to wonderful qualities and abilities in life. So what can we as educators do to encourage rather than marginalize these students? While we know that intervention can help, we can also do something more basic: create loving, empathic environments in which both types of children can thrive. It is important that we don’t assume all children are dandelions or label orchids as different or somehow deficient. Teachers, tutors, coaches and counselors have the ability to support their students, build their confidence, understand their emotions and help them to feel they can excel no matter the circumstances. The fields are full of dandelions, but only every so often do we see the rare, exotic orchid. It would be a shame to neglect such a wonder of nature.

Reference: “Genes, Stress, and Behavior – Is Your Child an Orchid or a Dandelion?” by Viatcheslav Wlassoff, PhD., brainblogger.com, 3/27/15.

Written by Phil Lane