Trust (social sciences) facts for kids
Trust is a strong feeling that someone or something is honest, good, and will do what they say. It means you feel sure about them, even if you can't always prove it. When you trust someone, you believe they will be reliable and act in a way that is fair or helpful.
Trust is important in many parts of life. It helps us build strong friendships and good relationships with family. When people trust each other, they can work together better and feel safer.
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What Does Trust Mean?
The word "trust" can be used in different ways. It can be a noun (a thing) or a verb (an action).
- As a noun: This means the feeling itself. For example, "I have complete trust in my best friend." This means you believe your friend will always be there for you and do the right thing.
- As a verb: This means to have that feeling towards someone or something. For example, "I trust my parents to help me." This means you believe your parents will give you good advice and support.
There is also an adjective called trusting.
- Trusting: If someone is "very trusting," it means they easily believe in others and expect them to be good. For example, "He is very trusting and always believes what people tell him."
You can also trust things, not just people.
- "I would not trust that old ladder." This means you think the ladder might not be safe and could break if you use it.
- "I trust the bus will arrive on time." This means you are confident the bus schedule is reliable.
Sometimes, "to trust" means to feel confident that something will happen or has happened.
- "I trust you are feeling better today." This means you hope and believe the person is recovering.
Trust and Honesty
To entrust something to someone means to give them something important and believe they will take care of it.
- "I would not entrust him with my new bike." This means you worry he might not be careful with it or might not return it. It suggests you don't fully believe in his honesty or responsibility with your belongings.
Is Trust Always Good?
While trust is usually a positive thing, being too trusting without thinking can sometimes be risky. It's important to think carefully about who you trust and why.
Sometimes, people might gain someone's trust, but then they might not act in a trustworthy way. This is called "breaking trust." For example, if a friend promises to keep a secret but then tells everyone, they have broken your trust. This can make you feel disappointed or hurt.
Even if two people trust each other, what they trust each other to do might not always be good. For example, two people might trust each other to keep a secret that is not helpful or kind to others. It's important to trust people who also have good intentions.
Opposites of Trust
The opposite of "trust" is often "mistrust" or "suspicion."
- Mistrust: This means you have no trust in someone or something. You might feel unsure or doubt them.
- Suspicious: This is similar to mistrust. If you are suspicious, you think someone might be doing something wrong or might not be honest.
Someone who is untrustworthy is a person who cannot be trusted. They might not keep promises, or they might not be honest.
To "take something on trust" means to believe something without checking it carefully. For example, "I took his story on trust, but later found out it wasn't true."
Trust and Faith
In religion, trust is often similar to faith. Someone who believes in God might put their trust in Him. This means they believe in God's goodness and guidance, even when things are difficult. For example, the Book of Proverbs in the Bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart." This encourages believers to rely fully on God.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Confianza para niños
