<p>I really can’t believe the numbers are that high. Perhaps they are . I see these kids and parents. The parents are living vicariously through their kids and the kids are feeling pressure. You see them at events and at the school and in the store where they are inevitably talking about “their kids.” You read it in their posts here. I find it rather sad. </p>
<p>I have no illusions and kids are more competitive than when I was in high school. But there’s a world of difference between kids who push themselves because that is their personality and they understand the connection with working hard and whatever rewards that brings and parents who push their kids because the parents want the vicarious accolades and bragging rights. Oh they are out there and everyone knows who they are but you will never convince them that they need to throttle it back because they are “good parents.”</p>