I’m really interested in reading this book. The issue of “giftedness” and what it truly is and means is something that seems to be a hot topic. See Lisa’s post from January. The notion of a child being truly gifted, a prodigy, is something I know would be an awesome responsibility. But what is the difference between a child who is truly gifted and one who a parent programs and pushes to become gifted.
Alissa Quart takes us on a journey to the dark heart of the parenting meritocracy in her new book, “Hothouse Kids: The Dilemma of the Gifted Child.” In her view, an increased emphasis on the early years of childhood by sociologists and educators coalesced with parental fears of failing schools and a faltering economy sometime in the mid- to late 1990s. Stir in some astute marketing by firms such as the Baby Einstein Co. and you have the makings of modern American childhood, a period marked by an increased emphasis on study and structured activity and less on play. Or at least it’s that way for upper-middle-class progeny, the ones with parents who have the extra money to buy their kids extra attention and services.
Finding the balance between encouraging growth and instilling a life long love of learning with the complex, competitive culture our children are becoming a part of, is a challenge. Having been a gifted child herself, I’m anxious to read about her thoughts on what it was like and how her parents handled it. I don’t think my children are gifted–I think they’re bright and motivated and are hungry to learn. That’s enough for me–I hope it will be for them as well.
Posted on October 19th, 2006 by Sam
Filed under: Uncategorized
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