Changes

The concept was initially developed in the 1970s, gaining popular interest with the publication of a series of books in the late 1990s and the release of several films in the following decade. A variety of [[books]], conferences and related materials have been created surrounding the idea of indigo children, which have been criticized for a means of making money from credulous parents.

The concept was initially developed in the 1970s, gaining popular interest with the publication of a series of books in the late 1990s and the release of several films in the following decade. A variety of [[books]], conferences and related materials have been created surrounding the idea of indigo children, which have been criticized for a means of making money from credulous parents.

==Origins==

==Origins==

The term indigo children originates with [[parapsychologist]] and self-described synesthete and [[psychic]], [http://www.allaboutindigos.com/ Nancy Anne Tappe], who first described the concept in the 1970s. Tappe published the book ''Understanding Your Life Through Color'' in 1982 describing the [[concept]],[1] stating that during the mid 1960s she began noticing that many children were being born with "indigo" [[auras]][2] (though in other publications Tappe has said the color indigo came from the "life colors" of the children which she acquired through her synesthesia[3]). The idea of indigo children was later popularized by the 1998 book ''The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived'', written by husband and wife self-help lecturers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Carroll Lee Carroll] and Jan Tober.[4] The promotion of the concept by Tober and Carroll brought greater attention and exposure to the [[topic]], and their book became the [[authoritative]] source on indigo children. They describe the goal of indigo children to be a remaking of the world into one lacking [[war]], trash and processed food.

The term indigo children originates with [[parapsychologist]] and self-described synesthete and [[psychic]], [https://www.allaboutindigos.com/ Nancy Anne Tappe], who first described the concept in the 1970s. Tappe published the book ''Understanding Your Life Through Color'' in 1982 describing the [[concept]],[1] stating that during the mid 1960s she began noticing that many children were being born with "indigo" [[auras]][2] (though in other publications Tappe has said the color indigo came from the "life colors" of the children which she acquired through her synesthesia[3]). The idea of indigo children was later popularized by the 1998 book ''The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived'', written by husband and wife self-help lecturers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Carroll Lee Carroll] and Jan Tober.[4] The promotion of the concept by Tober and Carroll brought greater attention and exposure to the [[topic]], and their book became the [[authoritative]] source on indigo children. They describe the goal of indigo children to be a remaking of the world into one lacking [[war]], trash and processed food.

In 2002, an international conference on indigo children was held in Hawaii, drawing 600 attendees, with subsequent conferences the following years in Florida and Oregon. The concept was popularized and spread further by a feature film and documentary released in 2005, both directed by [http://www.jamestwyman.com/ James Twyman], a New Age writer.[5]

In 2002, an international conference on indigo children was held in Hawaii, drawing 600 attendees, with subsequent conferences the following years in Florida and Oregon. The concept was popularized and spread further by a feature film and documentary released in 2005, both directed by [https://www.jamestwyman.com/ James Twyman], a New Age writer.[5]

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==

Descriptions of indigo children include the [[belief]] that they are empathetic, curious, possess a clear sense of self-definition and [[purpose]], strong-willed, independent, often perceived by [[friends]] or [[family]] as being weird, and also exhibit a strong inclination towards [[spiritual]] matters (e.g. [[God]]) from early childhood. Indigo children have also been described as having a strong feeling of entitlement, or "deserving to be here." Other alleged traits include a high [[intelligence]] quotient, an inherent [[intuitive]] ability, and resistance to [[authority]].[2][4] According to Tober and Carroll, indigo children function poorly in [[convention]]al schools due to their rejection of authority, being smarter than their teachers and a lack of response to [[guilt]]-, [[fear]]- or manipulation-based [[discipline]].[5]

Descriptions of indigo children include the [[belief]] that they are empathetic, curious, possess a clear sense of self-definition and [[purpose]], strong-willed, independent, often perceived by [[friends]] or [[family]] as being weird, and also exhibit a strong inclination towards [[spiritual]] matters (e.g. [[God]]) from early childhood. Indigo children have also been described as having a strong feeling of entitlement, or "deserving to be here." Other alleged traits include a high [[intelligence]] quotient, an inherent [[intuitive]] ability, and resistance to [[authority]].[2][4] According to Tober and Carroll, indigo children function poorly in [[convention]]al schools due to their rejection of authority, being smarter than their teachers and a lack of response to [[guilt]]-, [[fear]]- or manipulation-based [[discipline]].[5]

According to [[research]] psychologist Russell Barkley, the [[New Age]] [[movement]] has yet to produce empirical [[evidence]] of the [[existence]] of indigo children and the 17 traits most commonly attributed to them were akin to the Forer effect; so vague they could describe nearly anyone. There is also concern that labeling a disruptive child an "indigo" may delay proper diagnosis and treatment that may help the child.[2][5] Others have stated that many of the traits of indigo children could be more prosaically interpreted as simple arrogance and selfish [[individualism]], which parents with certain New Age beliefs see as being something that they are not.[6]

According to [[research]] psychologist Russell Barkley, the [[New Age]] [[movement]] has yet to produce empirical [[evidence]] of the [[existence]] of indigo children and the 17 traits most commonly attributed to them were akin to the Forer effect; so vague they could describe nearly anyone. There is also concern that labeling a disruptive child an "indigo" may delay proper diagnosis and treatment that may help the child.[2][5] Others have stated that many of the traits of indigo children could be more prosaically interpreted as simple arrogance and selfish [[individualism]], which parents with certain New Age beliefs see as being something that they are not.[6]

==Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder==

==Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder==

Tober and Carroll's book ''The Indigo Children'' linked the concept with diagnosis of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)], makes the case that indigos are a new stage of evolution rather than children with a medical diagnosis, and that "indigos" require special treatment rather than medications.[4] Many children called indigo by their parents are diagnosed with ADHD.[6] Robert Todd Carroll points out that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies imperfection, damage or mental illness, which may appeal to many [[parents]], a belief echoed by many academic [[psychologists]].[6] He also points out that many of the commentators on the indigo [[phenomenon]] are of varying qualifications and expertise. Linking the concept of indigo children with the use of Ritalin to control ADHD, Carroll states "The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn't rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a [[brain]] disorder?"[7]

Tober and Carroll's book ''The Indigo Children'' linked the concept with diagnosis of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)], makes the case that indigos are a new stage of evolution rather than children with a medical diagnosis, and that "indigos" require special treatment rather than medications.[4] Many children called indigo by their parents are diagnosed with ADHD.[6] Robert Todd Carroll points out that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies imperfection, damage or mental illness, which may appeal to many [[parents]], a belief echoed by many academic [[psychologists]].[6] He also points out that many of the commentators on the indigo [[phenomenon]] are of varying qualifications and expertise. Linking the concept of indigo children with the use of Ritalin to control ADHD, Carroll states "The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn't rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a [[brain]] disorder?"[7]

Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even gifted children with ADHD learn better with more [[structure]] rather than less, even if the structure initially causes difficulties. Many indigo children are home schooled.[2]

Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even gifted children with ADHD learn better with more [[structure]] rather than less, even if the structure initially causes difficulties. Many indigo children are home schooled.[2]

==References==

==References==

# Tappe, NA (1986). Understanding your life through color: Metaphysical concepts in color and aura. Starling Publishers. ISBN 0-940399-00-8.  

# Tappe, NA (1986). Understanding your life through color: Metaphysical concepts in color and aura. Starling Publishers. ISBN 0-940399-00-8.  

# Leland, J (2006-01-12). "Are They Here to Save the World?". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/fashion/thursdaystyles/12INDIGO.html?ei=5088&en=277fb750ad762ed9&ex=1294722000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

# Leland, J (2006-01-12). "Are They Here to Save the World?". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/fashion/thursdaystyles/12INDIGO.html?ei=5088&en=277fb750ad762ed9&ex=1294722000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

# Tappe, NA. "All About Indigos - A Nancy Tappe Website". http://www.allaboutindigos.com/. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

# Tappe, NA. "All About Indigos - A Nancy Tappe Website". https://www.allaboutindigos.com/. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

# Tober J & Carroll LA (1999). The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived. Light Technology Publishing. ISBN 1-56170-608-6.  

# Tober J & Carroll LA (1999). The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived. Light Technology Publishing. ISBN 1-56170-608-6.  

# Hyde, J (2006-03-09). "Little Boy Blue". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on 2007-12-26. http://web.archive.org/web/20071226065516rn_1/www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-09/news/little-boy-blue/. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

# Hyde, J (2006-03-09). "Little Boy Blue". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on 2007-12-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20071226065516rn_1/www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-09/news/little-boy-blue/. Retrieved 2009-04-15.  

#Jayson, S (2005-05-31). "Indigo kids: Does the science fly?". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-05-31-indigo-kids_x.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

#Jayson, S (2005-05-31). "Indigo kids: Does the science fly?". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-05-31-indigo-kids_x.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

# Carroll, RT (2009-02-23). "Indigo child". The Skeptic's Dictionary. http://skepdic.com/indigo.html. Retrieved 2009-04-13.  

# Carroll, RT (2009-02-23). "Indigo child". The Skeptic's Dictionary. https://skepdic.com/indigo.html. Retrieved 2009-04-13.  

# "Letters to the Dallas Observer". Dallas Observer. 2006-03-16. http://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-16/news/new-age-mumbo-jumbo/full. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

# "Letters to the Dallas Observer". Dallas Observer. 2006-03-16. https://www.dallasobserver.com/2006-03-16/news/new-age-mumbo-jumbo/full. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

# Anderson, L (2003-12-01). "Indigo: the color of money". Skepticreport.com. http://skepticreport.com/sr/?p=508. Retrieved 2009-08-08.  

# Anderson, L (2003-12-01). "Indigo: the color of money". Skepticreport.com. https://skepticreport.com/sr/?p=508. Retrieved 2009-08-08.  

# "Plot summary for Indigo". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379322/plotsummary. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

# "Plot summary for Indigo". Internet Movie Database. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379322/plotsummary. Retrieved 2007-10-23.  

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.dmoz.org//Society/People/Indigo_Children// Indigo children] at the Open Directory Project

* [https://www.dmoz.org//Society/People/Indigo_Children// Indigo children] at the Open Directory Project

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Education]]

[[Category: Education]]