Challenge can make or break people.
Parents are well aware that only survivors flourish.
Worried, wanting the best for their children, risk-averse parents try too hard.
They choose to raise their children in captivity.
Getting insulated from harm’s way somehow lessens the damage to the precious baby is their hope.
The myth gets broken when they realize their children are helpless without them.
Prof. Tanya Byron raised the fundamental question about the current education system and how children are taught to avoid risk.
Her interview was published in the latest issue of Sec Ed magazine.
Many young people are suffering from Anxiety Disorder, and the numbers are increasing, said Prof. Byron who has been a clinical psychologist for 23 years.
Feeling lack of emotional resilience and feeling afraid of failure are the symptoms of the Anxiety Disorder, said Prof. Byron.
She was concerned that these overprotected children were breaking down even though they were very bright.
Young people are increasingly unable to deal with challenges, in her opinion.
Paranoid culture that aims to protect them leaves them with nothing but anxiety instead.
She worries that not having the chance to fail at all prevents them from garnering the inner strength.
“When was the last time you saw a kid out enjoying himself on the bike? Children are not really encouraged to take and manage risk. I think it is developmentally catastrophic for them.“
Successful people became so all because of their failures, she claimed.
Top scientists and entrepreneurs achieved their goal because they "messed up" at some point and learned from their mistakes.
However, she said that the current generation lacks the same mental toughness because their educators and parents shelter them from failure.
"We live in a risk-averse culture where paranoia is rife. Our education system is built around that fear. Innovation comes at a cost, not like this."
In the end, she emphasizes on failing.
Only then, individuals accept, understand, and embrace failure, she explained.
“The times when you fail are often the most powerful learning experiences one can ever have."