The Damaging Effects of Perfectionism and the Rise of Parental Expectations

Perfectionism can be damaging as it causes individuals to focus on small details and overlook the big picture. They also engage in self-shaming instead of self-compassion, hindering their ability to learn from mistakes. Perfectionists tend to avoid taking risks and only focus on what they know they can master, leading to a limited comfort zone. The rise of perfectionism cannot be solely attributed to social media; parental behaviors, such as increasing expectations and harsh criticism, play a significant role. Parents' expectations have risen due to a more competitive world, where success feels increasingly scarce. However, this approach can turn children into achievement robots who eventually experience burnout.