The Coddling of the American MindRecommendations

Author:

Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff

About the book

If you're looking for a thought-provoking read, "The Coddling of the American Mind" by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff is a must. This book delves into the cultural shifts that have shaped a generation's mindset, particularly within academic environments. The authors argue that the increasing focus on emotional well-being has led to a decline in resilience among young people. They explore how this has affected free speech and critical thinking, making a compelling case for the importance of facing challenges rather than avoiding them. With their engaging writing style, Haidt and Lukianoff invite readers to reflect on their own experiences and consider the implications of these societal changes. Whether you're a student, educator, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of modern society, this book offers valuable insights that will resonate with you.Recommended by a diverse group of influential figures, including activists, educators, media personalities, and even politicians like Joe Biden, this book has garnered attention for its relevance across various sectors. The overlap among these groups suggests a shared concern for the future of education and societal discourse. Many recommend it, reflecting a consensus that understanding these issues is crucial for fostering a more resilient and open-minded generation. This broad range of endorsements highlights the book's importance for anyone invested in the ongoing dialogue about mental health, education, and freedom of expression.

A finalist for the 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction.

A New York Times Notable Book.

Bloomberg Best Book of 2018.

The New York Times bestseller!

Something has been going wrong on many college campuses in the last few years. Speakers are shouted down. Students and professors say they are walking on eggshells and are afraid to speak honestly. Rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide are rising—on campus as well as nationally. How did this happen?

First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt show how the new problems on campus have their origins in three terrible ideas that have become increasingly woven into American childhood and education: What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker; always trust your feelings; and life is a battle between good people and evil people. These three Great Untruths contradict basic psychological principles about well-being and ancient wisdom from many cultures. Embracing these untruths—and the resulting culture of safetyism—interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. It makes it harder for them to become autonomous adults who are able to navigate the bumpy road of life.

Lukianoff and Haidt investigate the many social trends that have intersected to promote the spread of these untruths. They explore changes in childhood such as the rise of fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised, child-directed play, and the new world of social media that has engulfed teenagers in the last decade. They examine changes on campus, including the corporatization of universities and the emergence of new ideas about identity and justice. They situate the conflicts on campus within the context of America’s rapidly rising political polarization and dysfunction.

This is a book for anyone who is confused by what is happening on college campuses today, or has children, or is concerned about the growing inability of Americans to live, work, and cooperate across party lines.