Search -
The Parents We Mean To Be: How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children's Moral and Emotional Development
The Parents We Mean To Be How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children's Moral and Emotional Development Author:Richard Weissbourd Harvard psychologist Richard Weissbourd argues incisively that parentsnot peers, not televisionare the primary shapers of their children's moral lives. His original field research reveals surprising, real threats to children’s moral and emotional development. Parents’ intense focus on their children’s happiness and success is t... more »urning many children into self-involved, fragile conformists. Many of us are organizing children’s lives around achievement, and sending hypocritical messages to our kids that erode our influence as moral mentors. Weissbourd highlights the inspiring parents, teachers, and coaches, as well as concrete strategies for raising moral and happy children. Most importantly, he makes the case that rather than focusing narrowly on our children’s happiness or self-esteem, we should promote their maturity, including their ability to manage destructive impulses, to appreciate and to take responsibility for othersqualities that are at the heart of both morality and lasting well-being.