Coddled kids become depressed, anti-social college students

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses how coddled and overprotected children are becoming socially awkward and unprepared for college and adulthood. It highlights the decline in college students' social engagement, such as reduced dining hall attendance and participation in campus activities. The article suggests that the lack of independent play and unsupervised experiences during childhood may be a contributing factor to the mental health issues and social anxiety faced by many college students today.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Coddled Kids Become Depressed, Anti-Social College Students

1. What are the key issues discussed in this section?

• College students today are reported to be lonely, sad, and socially anxious, preferring to eat in their rooms rather than in dining halls
• Attendance at campus events like sporting events, clubs, and dorm meetings is down
• Classroom participation has decreased, and more students are handing in half-finished assignments

2. What are the potential causes suggested for these issues?

• Lack of independent play and unsupervised experiences during childhood
• Overprotective parenting, where parents do not allow children to walk to a friend's house, play at the park, or go to the store alone
• Constant access to parents and ability to call them for help, even for simple tasks like fixing a bike chain

3. How does the article link these issues to the transition to college?

• The article suggests that without the opportunity to develop important skills like creativity, communication, and leadership through unsupervised play, students arrive on campus unprepared for the independence and social demands of college life.

[02] Young People Need Independent Play to Become Capable Adults

1. What are the key benefits of independent play mentioned in this section?

• Independent play allows children to develop important skills such as creativity, communication, compromise, compassion, and leadership.
• Completing tasks on their own helps children understand that they are helpful, capable, and resourceful.

2. How does the lack of independent play impact students in college?

• Without these experiences, students become socially awkward and afraid as adults, unable to navigate the social demands of college.
• The article suggests that until children are given more independence to play, explore, and expand, they will continue to arrive on campus unprepared and clinging to the familiar, like a "toddler."