Growing Up Scripted

I really agree with where Christopher Doyle is coming from when he says that America is trying to overregiment children. When you look at it of the perspective of other countries and how their systems are working for them, sure it makes sense to tighten the reigns on American children to 'better' them. However, when it comes down to it, Doyle's found actual evidence that causing chidlren to grow up too quickly and experience too much structure and discipline too soon can be detrimental to their mental health. Now, you have to consider the pro's and con's of each decision before you are able to make a informed decision. On one hand you have children who actually need structure in thier lives because they may have an unstable home life, on the other end their are parents who are teaching their adolescent children about self-discipline and how to maintain their lives at an age that is way too early for them to wrap their heads around it. I agree with Doyle's conclusion, and that if we try to control the childhood of American kids, that you are actually doing harm to their psyche. I understand that in China, what they have works for them, but, in my opinion, it may be too stressful. Doyle says that the first thing we should do is to ban standardized tests, get rid of homework, offer free college and make more places bicycle friendly so that kids can be able to get away when they need to recharge their batteries. I totally agree with Doyle when he says that children need less time under the guidance of authority and more time to themselves to simply grow without the stresses of being the best and passing the next history test. Children have to know that getting good grades so you can pay for college isn't all there is to life.