Summary:In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked.
Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.
Summary and cover image from goodreads.com
My Review: NurtureShock promises new thinking on raising children. The book encompasses a wide array of issues including praise, lying, race, teen rebellion, sibling rivalry and more. These two authors have done extensive research and put together a book to dispute modern day parenting techniques.
A few of the sections within this book were interesting, such as the Kindergarten section and the first entitled "The inverse power of praise". While other chapters such as those on lying and sibling disputes offered thought provoking insights into why current methods fail yet left the reader stranded by providing no suggested action. Interlaced throughout were those "well duh" moments found in every parenting book that generate rolling eyes.
With over 100 pages of acknowledgments, notes and references, no one can debate that this book wasn't well researched. The problem lies in how the research was presented. It feels like the authors had their view point and then dug until they found a pile of research to support these views. Once they amassed enough knowledgeable sources these sources were collaborated into a chapter that reads more like a thesis than a parenting book. In one word - dry.
In short if you are looking for a parenting book, this is not one I would recommend. However if you are interested in the research these authors have done and their point of view on child rearing, you can check out their columns featured on newsweek.com with easy access through nurtureshock.com Here you will get the nitty-gritty without having to wade through quite as much mush.
My Rating: 2 Stars
To Sum it Up: Mounds of research supporting these authors' opinions on parenting techniques compiled into a long, rather dull, book.
A few of the sections within this book were interesting, such as the Kindergarten section and the first entitled "The inverse power of praise". While other chapters such as those on lying and sibling disputes offered thought provoking insights into why current methods fail yet left the reader stranded by providing no suggested action. Interlaced throughout were those "well duh" moments found in every parenting book that generate rolling eyes.
With over 100 pages of acknowledgments, notes and references, no one can debate that this book wasn't well researched. The problem lies in how the research was presented. It feels like the authors had their view point and then dug until they found a pile of research to support these views. Once they amassed enough knowledgeable sources these sources were collaborated into a chapter that reads more like a thesis than a parenting book. In one word - dry.
In short if you are looking for a parenting book, this is not one I would recommend. However if you are interested in the research these authors have done and their point of view on child rearing, you can check out their columns featured on newsweek.com with easy access through nurtureshock.com Here you will get the nitty-gritty without having to wade through quite as much mush.
My Rating: 2 Stars
To Sum it Up: Mounds of research supporting these authors' opinions on parenting techniques compiled into a long, rather dull, book.
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