The Examined Life Why are teens so stressed? [Jennifer Wallace]
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Dec 5, 2024 In this engaging discussion, journalist Jennifer Wallace, author of "Never Enough," sheds light on the pressures teens face under achievement culture. She explores how high expectations from parents can harm mental health and deepen anxiety among youth. Wallace emphasizes the need to prioritize individual child needs over societal benchmarks and advocates for a supportive community approach. The conversation also highlights the importance of unconditional love in parenting and the necessity of emotional support for both parents and children.
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Prioritizing External Validation
- A mother prioritized external pressures over her son's needs, leading to his depression.
- She became consumed with how other parents perceived her, neglecting her son's well-being.
Shared Risks Across Demographics
- High-achieving students experience similar mental health risks as at-risk youth.
- This stems from a relentless pressure to achieve, impacting well-resourced schools nationwide.
Normalizing Sleep Deprivation
- A varsity athlete normalized extreme sleep deprivation due to academic pressure.
- She considered herself a 'healthy achiever' compared to peers with even later bedtimes.
