Section ?: Paul Tough, in his book titled How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (2012), explores the importance of perseverance in a child's life. He points out that children who are brought up by overprotective parents have a lower chance of experiencing failure in high school but often lack resilience when confronted with failure independently. Tough's research enlightens parents about these discoveries and underscores the significance of qualities like perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control for achieving success.
The level of perseverance in children plays a crucial role in determining their success. When parents consistently shield their child from experiencing failure, it significantly impedes the child's capacity to persevere. Consequently, they are less inclined to make another attempt when confronting failure. This tendency is frequently observed among ch
...ildren who come from affluent backgrounds. The book being mentioned here is authored by Mr. [author's name], and it is exceptionally well-written.
The passage discusses Tough's usage of evidence and personal anecdotes to support his claims on the importance of enabling children to thrive. It suggests that reading this book is essential for everyone, particularly new parents, as it delves into the significance of embracing a child's failures and educating parents about the potential drawbacks of constant protection. Although some may view the perspective as self-centered, it is crucial for parents to comprehend the possible ramifications of not allowing their child to experience failure. Without a safety net, a child might give up instead of persisting after facing failure. Perseverance, which is considered one of the most vital qualities in a child's life, involves being able to bounce back from setbacks.
In her article titled
The "Batman Effect": Enhancing Perseverance in Young Children, Rachel E. White asserts that perseverance is crucial for achieving success (White 7). Failure can be a catalyst for the development of perseverance and provides individuals with the chance to persist. While it is advantageous for parents to safeguard their children, restricting their exploration may impede their capability to bounce back from failure, potentially leading to depression and ruined lives. In addition to perseverance, parental encouragement also plays a pivotal role in a child's journey towards success.
In her article titled "Ways that parents can help their children succeed in school" published in The Christian Science Monitor, Ruth Kendel emphasizes the significance of self-esteem in successful learning. Neglecting to offer both academic and personal encouragement can lead to the development of various anxieties. However, providing support and motivation can boost an individual's self-confidence and enhance their willingness to take risks. This idea is echoed by Thomas Watson Jr., former CEO of IBM, who stated, "The main difference between me and the rest of you is that I make more mistakes. People who take risks accomplish more."
Encouraging children and fostering their self-esteem is essential for their future success. Children lacking confidence miss out on opportunities and are less inclined to take risks. Motivated children have higher chances of achieving success and excelling in various pursuits. Paul Tough, the author of several books such as How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why, and Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America, published Whatever It Takes in 2008 which became a best-seller on both the New York
Times hardcover and paperback lists.
Paul has authored three books and held editorial roles at The New York Times and Harper’s Magazine. He co-founded Open Letters, an online magazine. Furthermore, his writing has been published in the New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, the Atlantic, GQ, Esquire, and on the op-ed page of the New York Times. Alongside his writing and editing endeavors, he served as a reporter and producer for This American Life, a public-radio program. His book focuses on examining children's achievement while his subsequent work explores the practical application of that research.
Mr. Tough, a married man with two sons, has authored multiple books exploring the factors that influence children's levels of achievement. He lives in both Austin, Texas and Montauk, New York.
Paul Tough's book "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character" combines personal anecdotes and scientific research to support the argument that qualities such as perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control play a crucial role in determining success. Despite not revealing his own credentials, the author emphasizes the importance of these qualities in achieving success. Tough effectively illustrates this notion by contrasting the experiences of low-class and middle-class children to demonstrate how stress affects their brains.
In his book, Tough advises parents to protect their children from stressful situations in order to avoid hindering their brain development. His goal is to inform both new and experienced parents of the proven research and facts that can assist them in supporting their child. Tough adopts a parental tone to establish a connection with the parents reading his book and establish trust as he can relate to their experiences. The first chapter
of his book begins by discussing his own failures and how to avoid them, drawing on case studies and research. He uses Laurence Steinberg's work, a psychologist at Temple University who examines the impact of stress and trauma on children's lives, to address the moral standards parents have for their child's development.
In this passage, Tough utilizes ethos to persuade parents who are reading his work to reconsider their views on childhood trauma. His intention is to impact both current and future parents who are reading his words. In the subsequent chapter, Tough addresses the process of fostering character development in children, both within and outside the school setting. He asserts that optimism can be acquired through learning and is not an innate quality. By presenting this notion, he aims to captivate his audience.
The author introduces the concept of optimism to encourage parents who read to also encourage their children rather than criticize them. The author presents numerous facts on how a child's development is influenced by their character, aiming to shift parents' thinking and motivate them to develop their children's character. In the third chapter, titled "How To Think," the author suggests that both parents and children need to adopt a specific mindset for success, supported by various studies. The author employs a study on the impact of chess playing on children's IQ scores to appeal to the reader's logical side. Furthermore, the author shares personal experiences as a parent and how they applied this study in a positive manner.
The author, Mr. Tough, employs a persuasive rhetorical strategy to convey to parents that the studies do work and he is willing to test
them on his own children. Paul Tough's fourth chapter focuses on teaching parents how children can succeed. However, there are opposing views from Frank Slesnick and Ira Socol who disagree with Mr. Tough's argument.
In a book review, Frank Slesnick discusses 'How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character'. While reviewing the book, he expresses his own opinion and supports it with evidence. On the other hand, Ira Socol wrote an article to contradict Mr. Tough's viewpoint, stating that "Children require the support, time, resources, and love that enable them to persist" (Socol 11).
Ira Socol disagrees with Paul Tough's statement that "What Children Need Is Not 'Grit' but Abundance—and Slack" (Socol 11). In an article, Socol agrees with some parts of Tough's argument in How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, but also highlights major flaws. The article incorporates colors and pictures, making it visually engaging. Furthermore, the author presents statements that refute some of Tough's points, completely dismantling his argument. The article is reliable, as all examples are supported with in-text evidence. In the Journal of Legal Economics, vol., Frank Slesnick provides a book review of Paul Tough's "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character."
James Heckman discusses his disagreement with the idea that qualities such as perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-control are the most important skills in an article published in the journal (Heckman 21, no. 2, Apr. 2015: pp. 27-37).
The article has a clean layout and includes references cited by the author. It also features comments from researchers on the book. The conclusion of the book "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and
the Hidden Power of Character" by Paul Tough emphasizes the significance of perseverance in a child's life. According to Tough, without perseverance, children are likely to struggle and experience failure. The author aims to communicate this message to parents and provide them with a realistic understanding of the topic.
Grit, which is synonymous with perseverance, is effectively conveyed and taught to parents in this book by Paul Tough. The author emphasizes the importance of allowing children to experience failure in order for them to achieve future success.
