I have some interest in having a children in the future too, and it is pretty fun to think about all of this. I hope my child can enjoy a childhood like the happy medium you described too.
At the same time though, it feels that competition will only get increasing stronger and stronger, and eventually people who only start working hard near their adulthood will not be fit enough for the society. I don't know if my child will have the privilege of having a low-pressure childhood, I sure hope they have. It will probably depend on the rate of technological development.
I saw it described once in these terms: The parent's role encompasses two things: protection and preparation. Importantly, both are present all the way through the time a child lives with their parents. But the emphasis in the first half of that time should be on protection, while the emphasis in the second half should be on preparation.
And when I say preparation, I'm certainly not thinking of college admissions in particular. But rather, preparing them to be able to function as an independent adult. Which to me sounds like teaching life skills: how to shop, how to budget, how to plan a trip, how to tell if an offer looks too good to be true. How to respond when someone betrays you or beats you.
I like that description! It makes sense from a parent's perspective.
From the perspective of how schools and colleges are designed, I'd argue that there's a pressure for childhood to be 100% preparation, not for life, but for the next stage of organized, legible achievement.
I have some interest in having a children in the future too, and it is pretty fun to think about all of this. I hope my child can enjoy a childhood like the happy medium you described too.
At the same time though, it feels that competition will only get increasing stronger and stronger, and eventually people who only start working hard near their adulthood will not be fit enough for the society. I don't know if my child will have the privilege of having a low-pressure childhood, I sure hope they have. It will probably depend on the rate of technological development.
I saw it described once in these terms: The parent's role encompasses two things: protection and preparation. Importantly, both are present all the way through the time a child lives with their parents. But the emphasis in the first half of that time should be on protection, while the emphasis in the second half should be on preparation.
And when I say preparation, I'm certainly not thinking of college admissions in particular. But rather, preparing them to be able to function as an independent adult. Which to me sounds like teaching life skills: how to shop, how to budget, how to plan a trip, how to tell if an offer looks too good to be true. How to respond when someone betrays you or beats you.
I like that description! It makes sense from a parent's perspective.
From the perspective of how schools and colleges are designed, I'd argue that there's a pressure for childhood to be 100% preparation, not for life, but for the next stage of organized, legible achievement.