The Coddling of the American Mind is a book about how good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure. The author, Jonathan Haidt, argues that young people today have been raised with an excessive focus on safety and comfort, which has left them unprepared for life in the real world. He believes that this coddled attitude is causing problems such as anxiety, depression, and political correctness. The book offers suggestions for how to fix these issues and outlines ways to help young people thrive in the modern world.
For who is this book for ?
Jonathan Haidt’s “The Coddling of the American Mind” is an interesting read for people who are students, parents and in range professions. The book contains researched based opinionated arguments about how America has been raising its youth since early 2000s (since Columbine happened). I believe that this books speaks to any highly conscientious person or group trying to make sense why their contemporaries are struggling in ways different from prior generations.
Pros :
- The book offers a unique perspective on the issues facing young people today.
- It provides concrete solutions for how to fix these problems.
- The author is highly qualified and has extensive experience in this area.
Cons :
- The book is quite long and may be difficult to get through for some people.
- The author’s arguments are sometimes hard to follow.
- The book does not provide any real solutions to the problems it discusses.
Learn more about the author
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist who has conducted extensive research on the moral psychology of conservatives and liberals. He is a professor at New York University Stern School of Business, and he also teaches at the University of Virginia.
Reader Reviews
“I picked up this book expecting to find it full of opinions and conjecture, and that’s exactly what I got. The author takes a very strong position on the way young people are being raised today, and though he provides some evidence to support his claims, much of it felt like personal opinion.”
“This book is an important read for anyone who wants to understand the current cultural and political landscape. Haidt provides a well- reasoned argument backed by extensive research.”
“Haidt provides a well-researched, if not always persuasive, argument that the current generation of young people is in danger of becoming neurotic and overprotected. The author’s prescription for rearing more resilient children–teach them how to think for themselves and confront life’s challenges head-on–is decidedly old school, but it just might work.”
“This book is an important read for anyone who wants to understand the millennial generation and the challenges they face. Jonathan Haidt does an excellent job of explaining how coddling has led to a sense of entitlement and fragility among young people, and he provides insightful solutions for moving forward. I would highly recommend this book to parents, educators, and anyone else who cares about the future of our society.”
