Expert: Michael Watson - 11/5/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Thank you for volunteering.

One last question.
Hypnosis hs been around for a very long time. It seems like it would be a very powerful tool in anybodys life. Why isn't it taught in the early stages of our schooling?

Answer
There are several possible answers to your question (I've never been real good at "why" questions)

First of all, hypnosis has only been validatred by the medical community since the 1950s and prior to that time it was thought of as quackery by many ... especially in the academic community.

Secondly, many powerful things aren't taught in school and especailly those things that could be misused and cause harm.

Thirdly, Hypnosis IS very powerful .... and I'm not sure I'd want to have my children being hypnotized by their school teacher who is not trained to handle abbreactions and other problems that could occur ... and I'm also not sure that I'd want my child to be hypnotized by anyone who might attempt to control my child ...

On a few occasions teachers HAVE done some hypnosis in the classroom and parents object strongly.

I'd never want to require anyone to expereince hypnosis who wasn't willing ... and, I"m not sure what suggestions the teacher might use .. but "Big Brother" has more than enough power over our minds as it is ... and I can't imagine giving the system another way to control our minds.  The potential for misuse is staggering.

Michael