<p>I agree with the suggestion that the widespread use of anti-depressants in our culture–so widespread that these drugs are now contaminating our drinking water–is tied to our society’s propagation of unrealistic expectations for success in life, combined with the over-stimulation of our children’s self-esteem. </p>
<p>I think societal attitudes began changing with the Dr. Spock laissez-faire parenting books. Both my husband and I received a small dose of “Our family is classier/smarter/nicer than most other people’s” and “You, my child, are smarter, more attractive, and more talented than other people’s children.” This didn’t do me any good, I assure you. I soon learned I was not that special, and it WAS depressing for me. But at least our parents ignored some of Spock’s philosophy and still believed in discipline and corporal punishment when necessary. So we grew up feeling slightly superior, but our parents never bragged about us, and we were well-bred enough to behave cooperatively and modestly. </p>
<p>Today’s parents think nothing of announcing loudly at back to school night that their little darling is more advanced than the rest of the kids in the class, and why does he have to tolerate such low-level academic work? And this, after the principal has stressed that discussions of one’s individual child should be saved for another time, such as parent-teacher conferences. You can’t believe how many future Div. I athletes play on our town’s soccer teams. Practically every child, and their parents are counting down the days until the whole world will be told how wonderfully talented they already know their children are. A major league ball player graduated high school with my sister, and his talent was never publicly flaunted like it would be today.</p>
<p>Our kids want to be the best, and have been taught by society that anything less than the best is unacceptable. Is it any wonder so many engage in drug use, binge drinking–alarming statistics on that, and promiscuity? They’re looking to make themselves feel better, because their overly-high expectations have set them up for disappointment once they reach high school and college and suddenly there are no “second winners,” not everyone gets a trophy, and not everyone gets a part in the play or gets crowned Homecoming Queen.</p>