Running with scissors—a phrase most often used to warn children against reckless behavior—has evolved into a metaphor for the kind of impulsive, risk-heavy decisions that mark both youthful rebellion and adult carelessness. The image is absurd yet poignant: a person, perhaps laughing, dashing forward with sharp blades in hand, dangerously close to injury but seemingly indifferent to the consequences.
This article unpacks the literal and metaphorical implications of this phrase, explores the psychology behind risky behavior, and examines how society romanticizes recklessness while also attempting to suppress it.
The Literal Origins and Common Warnings
At its most basic level, “running with scissors” is a safety warning. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have long used it to instill a sense of caution in children. The act of holding scissors—a sharp, pointed tool—while moving quickly is a recipe for injury. And because children often lack the motor control and foresight that adults (hopefully) possess, the warning is practical.
But why has this particular image endured so powerfully in popular consciousness? It could be because it captures the essence of many poor decisions: unnecessary risk taken for no real reason, often driven by excitement, ignorance, or defiance. It’s a vivid visual, and therefore, an effective teaching tool.
Yet, for something meant to prevent harm, “running with scissors” has come to symbolize something far larger and culturally significant.
The Metaphor of Risk and Rebellion
In literature, film, and everyday speech, “running with scissors” has grown into a stand-in for any impulsive or dangerously bold action. From a teenager sneaking out at midnight to a startup founder gambling everything on a risky idea, the phrase captures that tension between danger and ambition.
Augusten Burroughs famously used “Running with Scissors” as the title of his 2002 memoir, chronicling a chaotic and often disturbing childhood filled with unpredictability, emotional instability, and a lack of traditional parental guidance. The title was both literal and symbolic—he was a child thrust into a world with no rules, trying to navigate it with tools he wasn’t equipped to use safely.
The metaphor is powerful because it implies both agency and folly. The person running with scissors isn’t usually being forced—they’re choosing to run, choosing to hold the scissors, choosing to ignore warnings. It’s an act of defiance, but also of ignorance or naivety. And often, it’s only after the fall, the cut, or the crash that the danger is fully understood.
The Psychology Behind Risky Behavior
Why do people—especially young people—engage in behavior that could harm them? Developmental psychology offers several explanations.
First, the adolescent brain is still maturing, particularly the prefrontal cortexs, which governs decision-making, risk evaluation, and impulse control. This means teenagers are neurologically wired to take more risks, especially when peers are present or when they perceive a potential reward.
Second, risk can be thrilling. Novel experiences release dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. So, the same way someone might feel a rush from skydiving or gambling, they can also feel it from less noble risks: lying, cheating, sneaking out, or even literally running with scissors.
There’s also a social component. Risky behavior can be a way to assert independence, gain status, or rebel against perceived constraints. In this way, “running with scissors” becomes a rite of passage—dangerous, yes, but also exhilarating and affirming.
Adults are not immune, either. Mid-life crises, financial gambles, illicit affairs—these are all forms of adult “scissor-running.” The stakes may be higher, the consequences more severe, but the motivations often mirror those of youth: a search for meaning, excitement, or identity.
Society’s Love-Hate Relationship with Recklessness
Interestingly, society tends to both vilify and romanticize recklessness. We warn children against danger, yet our stories, films, and songs are filled with characters who throw caution to the wind and are celebrated for it.
Consider the archetype of the “bad boy,” the outlaw, or the maverick. These figures break rules, take risks, and suffer consequences—but they’re often admired for their courage, authenticity, or refusal to conform. Think James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause or even real-life daredevils like Evel Knievel.
Even in the business world, calculated risk is often glorified. Entrepreneurs are told to “fail fast,” to “take the leap,” to “break things and move fast.” While these phrases differ slightly from “running with scissors,” the underlying message is similar: success often lies just beyond the edge of caution.
However, this glamorization can be dangerous in itself. It can lead people to undervalue prudence, dismiss sound advice, or take risks they’re unprepared for. And when those risks backfire, society can be quick to shift blame, asking why someone didn’t “know better.”
In this light, “running with scissors” becomes a kind of double-edged sword—pun intended. It’s both a cautionary tale and a cultural myth, used to critique and celebrate, to teach and to inspire.
Conclusion: A Symbol Worth Revisiting
Ultimately, “running with scissors” is more than just a parental warning—it’s a symbol of human behavior in all its contradictions. It represents our desire to move fast, to break rules, to chase excitement, and sometimes, to ignore good sense.
It reminds us that while risk can lead to growth, creativity, and change, it must be tempered with awareness and responsibility. The goal is not to never take risks—but to know when you’re holding the scissors, and how fast you’re really going.
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