Every now and then books come across my path that are deemed controversial in nature by some. Personally, I look at them as ‘social commentary’ and make my own judgements. That’s just who I am. But a couple of months ago, I reviewed a book that was ‘controversial’ in its thoughts and comments. Due to that review, someone I’d considered a friend parted ways with me. She didn’t understand why I didn’t think the same way as she did or appreciate that I could have a different opinion to her. I wonder whether she would think the same again here.
The current landscape of parenting is characterised by a pervasive sense of frantic vigilance, bordering on obsession, regarding our children’s mental well-being. We routinely defer to an array of mental health experts who often usher us out of the room with a dismissive assurance: “We will let you know.” This reliance on experts has been ingrained for decades, perhaps as an overcompensation for our own parents’ skepticism toward psychologists’ guidance on raising well-adjusted children.
In her compelling work “Bad Therapy,” Abigail Shrier challenges the prevailing norms of therapeutic intervention, particularly in addressing the burgeoning mental health concerns among young people. She argues that much of this therapy, far from being beneficial, may indeed be unnecessary or even harmful.
Furthermore, Shrier delves into the shifting landscape of parenting over recent decades. From the era of “free-range” child-rearing to the contemporary phenomenon of “helicopter parenting,” she observes a marked transition toward punishment aversion and over-permissiveness in handling children’s behaviour.
Through engaging prose and astute analysis, Shrier sheds light on the societal shifts shaping modern parenting practices. Drawing from personal anecdotes and extensive research, she paints a vivid picture of the consequences of excessive supervision and therapeutic intervention on children’s development.
The genesis of Shrier’s exploration lies in her observation of the proliferation of therapy among children and adolescents, both within clinical settings and educational institutions. This therapeutic approach, she contends, has led to a pathologizing of normal childhood experiences and a pervasive sense of disorder among the younger generation.
Central to Shrier’s argument is the notion of the mental health industry’s incentive to perpetuate a cycle of dependency, creating lifelong patients rather than fostering genuine healing. She warns against the normalisation of diagnoses and the erosion of individual agency, which she sees as symptomatic of a broader societal malaise.
With a keen eye for societal trends and a knack for her incisive commentary, Shrier navigates complex issues surrounding mental health, parenting, and societal norms. Her work serves as a wake-up call, challenging readers to reconsider prevailing attitudes and embrace a more nuanced approach to addressing the mental well-being of future generations.
