Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens 234: Encore: Confronting Toxic Achievement Culture with Author Jennifer Wallace
Aug 26, 2025
Award-winning journalist Jennifer Wallace joins Dr. Lisa and Reena to challenge the toxic achievement culture impacting teens. They discuss how to nurture a child's sense of worth beyond accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of mattering and emotional well-being. Practical parenting strategies like the 'puppy dog principle' are shared, alongside insights on fostering resilience without overwhelming pressure. The conversation covers balancing academic support with mental health, urging a reevaluation of success in raising happy, healthy kids.
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Macro Forces Drive Parental Pressure
- Economic and social forces create parental anxiety that drives overparenting and pressure on kids.
- Jennifer Wallace links widening inequality and competition to today's achievement culture.
Lead With Everyday Conversation
- Lead conversations with non-achievement topics when kids come home to reduce performance signaling.
- Jennifer Wallace recommends asking about lunch or other daily details before asking about grades or tests.
Mattering Protects Against Toxic Pressure
- Feeling unconditional value — mattering — protects kids even under pressure.
- Wallace found thriving kids felt valued for who they were and were relied upon to add value to others.
