Expression of the Day (Dec 5 2014)

What expression do you see in the photo above?

9 replies
  1. Arawn
    Arawn says:

    Uh. This picture makes me feel uneasy. As some people have suggested, this child might fear something we do not see in the picture and the women is trying to console him. However, she seems… too happy for me to quite buy it. My initial reaction was that this child has been forced in the arms of his grandmother or other female relative whom he fears. I used to be horribly afraid of my great grandmother when I was toddler so I can relate to that. Grown ups rarely respect children’s feelings and often force them in the arms of people they fear, a habit I find utterly appalling.

    • Sheila Sullivan
      Sheila Sullivan says:

      Exactly. The woman finds the child’s discomfort amusing. The child feels apprehension and anxiety, plus resignation.

  2. Ar7wen .
    Ar7wen . says:

    I think the child doesn’t want to be held or does not like the way the woman is holding him, even though the expression on her face looks like love and comfort. It may be the child was already afraid, but he seems to be pushing away from her. Could be someone he does not know and is therefore afraid of, and to make it worse she picks him up. Reminds me of people who give a child who doesn’t know them a big sloppy kiss. Or pinch their cheeks (yuck). Or when a parent makes a child give a kiss to someone.

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