What Are Indigo Children?

Indigo Children are one of the latest and greatest New Age crazes to sweep the nation. The concept of Indigo Children has been around since the 1980’s, but had it’s first real publicity break in 1999 in a book entitled The Indigo Children: The New Kids Have Arrived, written by Jan Tober and Lee Carroll. Since then the movement has gathered a lot of steam, due in part to recent media attention, including a movie in 2003 titled Indigo. The term “Indigo Child” is a reference to the color of their aura, which in turn is supposed to define their personality. Tober and Carroll claim that Indigo Children have a host of unusual psychological attributes. These attributes range from the specific (self-empowered, intuitive, telepathic, fearless) to the non-specific (technologically advanced, wise beyond years). Indigo children are supposed to usher in a new era of peace, understanding and evolved consciousness.

Tober and Carroll also claim that many Indigo Children are misdiagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder), and recommend that parents not medicate them for such.

The Indigo Children website has a list of the ten attributes that best describe an Indigo Child. Lets examine each attribute, and see if you’re lucky enough have an Indigo Child.

-They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like it)

Hmm… that’s a very subjective statement. What exactly is “acting” like royalty? Is it the expectation that you’ll be waited on hand and foot? Maybe they mean madness and an affinity for beheadings. Certainly babies are pampered like kings and queens, but that’s every baby, even the ones that aren’t telepathic.

-They have a feeling of “deserving to be here,” and are surprised when others don’t share that.

By “here” I assume they mean earth. I’d also be surprised if I came across someone that felt they didn’t deserve to live on earth.

-Self-worth is not a big issue. They often tell the parents “who they are.”

I think that statement applies to all children. Self worth and social awareness is something that’s learned, not something that any child inherently has.

-They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without explanation or choice).

Again, what child doesn’t, and won’t try to challenge the authority of their parents. Heck, I hate absolute authority too. Maybe I’m an Indigo Child.

-They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line is difficult for them.

Another open ended, subjective statement. This time, the statement actually contradicts itself, by saying Indigo Children will NOT do certain things, then claiming that sometimes it’s just difficult for them. Also notice the example is something boring, like standing in line. I’d be more shocked to see “Indigo children will refuse to eat ice-cream, pizza or any other delicious food item. They also hate theme parks.”

-They get frustrated with systems that are ritually oriented and don’t require creative thought.

Like perhaps church and school? Children have complained about things like that since the dawn of time.

-They often see better ways of doing things, both at home and in school, which makes them seem like “system busters” (nonconforming to any system).

Better as in more scientifically sound? Morally better? All children are capable of identifying the flaws of the adult world. We adults are cheaters, liars, and often illogical and emotional creatures. Sometimes we even invent bull-shit phenomena to sell books.

-They seem antisocial unless they are with their own kind. If there are no others of like consciousness around them, they often turn inward, feeling like no other human understands them. School is often extremely difficult for them socially.

At last, an argument that can’t be refuted. But wait, it can’t be substantiated either. How do we know said child doesn’t suffer from some neuro-biological condition like autism. Should teachers assume the child is Indigo, rather then a product of a disorder, or even abuse?

-They will not respond to “guilt” discipline (“Wait till your father gets home and finds out what you did”).

Once again, guilt is something that must be learned.

-They are not shy in letting you know what they need.

What child is? What parent hasn’t had to deal with a screaming child at the grocery store because the parent wont allow them to have something?

Congratulations, based on the above list you most definitely have an Indigo Child, and are lucky enough to be one yourself. I’m one too, and so is my roommate. We’re all just waiting around for our telepathy to kick in.

People are free to believe what they want, and free to try and convince others of their beliefs. I don’t get mad at or attack most forms of organized religion, so why should I attack beliefs in Indigo Children? Because they advocate ignoring the opinion of professional doctors, that’s why. Even if you don’t agree with my analysis of Indigo Children, please don’t ignore the advice of a doctor. If you’re afraid of having your child over-medicated (ADD is a hot button topic) then consult multiple doctors instead of just one. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies have been getting a bad rap over the last couple of years, but the fact is that the drugs they create and prescribe have saved or improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people.