‘Gentle parenting’ & why therapy might be harming children
Mar 11, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Abigail Shrier, a Wall Street Journal columnist and author of "Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up," explores the pitfalls of over-diagnosing mental health issues in children. She critiques modern parenting strategies, emphasizing the dangers of outsourcing emotional support to therapy and technology. Shrier argues that smartphone use exacerbates isolation, while therapeutic models may hinder resilience. Parents are encouraged to foster independence and engage in meaningful conversations about mental health, challenging current approaches.
Current mental health treatments for children may be counterproductive, exacerbating issues instead of providing genuine support and healing.
A stable home environment with authoritative parenting is crucial for building resilience, surpassing the reliance on therapy and technology.
Deep dives
The Ineffectiveness of Current Mental Health Treatments
Despite increased funding and treatment for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety among children, the rates of these ailments continue to rise. Historical comparisons show that unlike other health areas where improvements in care lead to better outcomes, mental health support seems to coincide with worsening conditions. This suggests that the current approaches may not only be ineffective but potentially harmful, as excessive therapy and medication could exacerbate existing problems rather than remedy them. The notion of iatrogenesis, particularly in the context of child therapy, complicates matters further, as children often lack the autonomy to critique or withdraw from therapies that may not be beneficial.
The Role of Parenting and Community in Child Development
Children's mental well-being is heavily influenced by the presence of authoritative figures in their lives, as research indicates that supportive parenting leads to better mental health outcomes. Rather than outsourcing emotional development to therapists, children benefit more from stable home environments where parents set boundaries and foster independence. Building a loving community with familial connections and peer relationships is vital for child resilience, as opposed to reliance on technology and therapeutic practices that prioritize individual feelings. By decreasing screen time and focusing on real-life interactions, children can cultivate skills essential for navigating life's challenges.
Reevaluating the Concept of Resilience and the Impact of Technology
The contemporary emphasis on building resilience through therapy often translates into a focus on negative emotions rather than encouraging children to face and learn from failure independently. Resilience is better developed through real-life experiences where children learn to overcome obstacles themselves, not merely by discussing feelings in a therapy setting. Additionally, the pervasive use of smartphones exacerbates mental health issues, as constant connection leads to increased isolation and self-absorption. By deliberately reducing smartphone usage, it may be possible to significantly improve the mental health landscape for children and teens.
Is mental health overdiagnosis harming children? Abigail Shrier, author of Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up, joins Freddy Gray on the Americano show to discuss how mental health experts are potentially damaging children. Have our efforts to support our children backfired?
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