The Impact of Therapeutic Sentimentalism on Parenting

Therapeutic sentimentalism is defined as the prevailing ideology that encourages parents to shape the world around their children's feelings rather than preparing them for reality. In earlier generations, parenting focused on equipping children to handle real-world challenges, but today, parents often compromise children's resilience by prioritizing their immediate emotional comfort. This shift leads to a lack of discipline and an unrealistic understanding of the world, as children are flattered and told their feelings should dictate their experiences. Such an approach can create chaos, as children are left ill-equipped to navigate life’s complexities when they grow older, failing to understand the consequences of their actions or the true nature of the world around them.