Really Interesting Article

[EmilytheStrange]

Why are American Kids So Spoiled?

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critic...home_multiline

[songbird516]

good article! I agree with most of it. Reminds me of my boss who had two kids who were about the same age as my brother and sister and I. Both flunked out of college, then goofed off for a few years, then went back to college (paid for by their parents again), graduated, and still had no real job and were basically still supported by my boss and his wife. They are 27 and 29. But my boss would always be bragging on them finally graduating. lol.

[happysmileylady]

I just read that earlier today. I totally agree with most of it.

[JennTheMomma]

Eh, I've met just as spoiled kids from other countries.

[EmilytheStrange]

Originally Posted by JennTheMomma Eh, I've met just as spoiled kids from other countries.

that there are spoiled children anywhere isn't the point.. it's WHY.

I really enjoyed the anthropological aspect of the article.

[hilaryisinked]

Great read

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[JennTheMomma]

Originally Posted by EmilytheStrange that there are spoiled children anywhere isn't the point.. it's WHY. I really enjoyed the anthropological aspect of the article.

Yes, I got that.

[mibarra]

Interesting. I think it's difficult to compare industrialized society to hunter/gatherer and agricultural society, because the stakes for survival are much higher in the latter and require all members to contribute as early as possible. The part about French mothers was interesting.

[EmilytheStrange]

Originally Posted by mibarra Interesting. I think it's difficult to compare industrialized society to hunter/gatherer and agricultural society, because the stakes for survival are much higher in the latter and require all members to contribute as early as possible. The part about French mothers was interesting.

I agree. Definitely it can't be a side-by-side comparison. But it does show where we started, I guess.

I read the book, 'Bringing up Bebe' that they talked about with the French mothers and it's a really interesting read. There's a lot that I have tried to incorporate into my own parenting.

but, again, you're talking about a very different culture. En masse, the French all raise their children exactly the same (I'm sure there is a percentage that vary, of course), so children don't find more lenient teachers, etc. It's all the same.

Of course, they always quote the part about the 18month French kids who sit quietly in restaurants when they discuss this book in articles. But then when you actually read the book, you find out that it's very common practice for French kids to have pacifiers to 3 and 4yrs old. So, yeah.. my kid would be quieter in a lot of places if she still had her pacifier..

everything with a grain of salt

[UmmKira]

I really enjoyed this article and I go think our kids aren't given enough responsibility early enough. The ” everyone gets a gold sticker for trying” had some side effects. When I was working in management, I couldn't believe how many people were coming out of college with a great sense of entitlement! So many acted as if just coming to work, not even always on time, was reason enough for a bonus. Pah!

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