While reading "The Child Trap", I found myself agreeing with the author on almost every point, and thinking, "I know people like that." Several of my friends in high school graduated at the very top of the class, the top five to be specific. If you ask any one of them why they did it, the unanimous response would be something like, "My parents would kill me if I didn't." They did not push themselves to the top because they genuinely wanted to be the best. They were pushed to achieve. Their over-controlling parents regimented their lives, by forcing them to take AP level classes in every subject and drowning them in extracurriculars. Two of our top five were not allowed to leave the house, watch TV, or play video games on weekdays. A friend of mine (a member of this group) once told me that she hated school more than anything, yet she gave a speech at graduation. This kind of parenting doesn't foster curiosity, or a love of learning. Sure, it may make them look better on paper; however, it doesn't make them happier, and that is what's truly important.
This situation is very familiar to me. I have a close friend who comes from a family of doctors, lawyers, and army generals. She is constantly pressured to do well and get into top of the line schools. Her mom hired many tutors to improve her SAT scores, and gets on her case if her scores are not sufficient. She is the smartest and most well rounded person I know, yet her mother still proceeds to tell her she is not doing enough to get into college. The stress her parents put on her is harming her physically and is in no way beneficial to her academic career.
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