‘Why not’ or ‘Because’ is not always the best response to the question of ‘why’. Besides, how can you respond to the other person when their response to you is why not or because? You have just been effectively stopped short of understanding. Equally important in this is to remember your feelings when someone has done this to you so you don’t do the same thing to someone asking you ‘why’.
Another consideration to not quickly responding is that ‘why’ can also have a variety of contexts so before responding make certain you are actually responding to the one asked. For example: sometimes there are unspoken words after the why, such as – (why) meeeeeee!? That particular why is the most difficult to respond to because even if you know, the other person may not want to hear it.
I was extremely fortunate growing up because my incessant ‘whys’ were rare responded to with why not or because from my parents. I think my Mom was especially keen on providing understanding – probably to avoid more scraped knees, metaphorically speaking, for her children. I do believe that why has always been one of my favorite words.
Why is a movement word. It’s not static and it never leaves you where you are – it moves you on… to other whys or to understanding or both. Why is also a creative word in that it forces you to not respond automatically – you have to have reason to support your position. Why requires you to reassess and sometimes this means thinking outside the box.
Don’t assume that a ‘why’ is a challenge to you, your position – it may be a legitimate question. And in your explanation you may find either confirmation of what you are saying or it may lead you into new patterns. Why is really a splendid word.
