Measles and Gratification
Before you ask me if I have lost my mind with that title, I shall explain. The words that social media and news outlets are often pairing with “measles” these days include “outbreak” and “vaccines” and “Disneyland.” After the Disneyland outbreak, vaccines are once again making a surge at headlines and significant controversy regarding folks in either camp. I have a solution that I don’t think anyone has proposed yet, but is worth a voice! Why don’t we just ask the kids?!?! Let’s ask the 12 month old if he would like the MMR vaccine! Show them a needle and then explain the potential long term benefits of receiving the vaccine and let them decide! At that age, everything goes in their mouth, so the infant would likely endeavor to put the needle in their mouth, but aside from that, I don’t see any problems with this. But seriously now, what about this topic engenders such heated opinion? From a psychological perspective, there are a few things I find worthwhile. Today we will examine the cognitive and in the next post, the emotional.
I just hinted at one with the picture of the small child shoving a needle in their own mouth. The idea of instant versus delayed gratification. Parents agonize over watching their infants and small children endure painful shots, which not only cause initial discomfort, but can also sometimes create discomfort for the following 24-48 hours. My grandmother, for one, decided that that plan was for the birds and that she was NOT going to allow her children to endure this. Alas, my mother got the measles, but she is alive to tell the story today. (SPOILER: This is not the point in the blog post where I share my vaccination opinion. That is for each family to weigh with an educated opinion, informed not just from social media, but hopefully from well-respected researchers in reputable peer-reviewed publications. Note: Jenny McCarthy does not qualify in the aforementioned description.)
At that moment, it would be easier to allow the child to experience temporary comfort as it does feel rather cruel to watch your child endure pain right before your eyes—and you SIGNED a form ASKING them to do that! The irony! Most other forms of child harm would sign you up to receive a call from child protective services...but not this one. And of course the other side of the coin....what if your child was at the doctor’s office for a runny nose and exposed to a much more serious illness, like the measles? You would then agonize over your child’s severe discomfort and potentially life threatening health consequences. What if, what if, what if.....and here’s where the long-term and delayed gratification argument becomes only a potential circumstance.
In what other ways do we make decisions based on instant or delayed gratification? Going to see an amazing theatrical performance or putting that $100 away to save for a car, house, etc......spending endless hours practicing a sport or an instrument in order to hone a skill.....finishing your degree when so many other priorities vie for your attention….warming up a Trader Joe's enchilada or taking the time to cook a meal….the list goes on.
Are you someone that lives your life more for what feels good at the moment? Or do you consider the long-term consequences for your decisions before you make them?