What if much of what we do to our children works directly against what we profess we ultimately want for them?
Alfie Kohn argues that things like homework, grades, systems of praise and punishment, reward and sanction, and generally the enforcement of an atmosphere of fierce competition in education all undermine our stated goals.
So are the goals wrong? Are the goals false? Or is something much more fundamental to society in need of a major rethink?
Alfie Kohn is an accomplished author, speaker, and psychologist who has been advocating for reform in education and parenting for over 25 years. His impressive collection of talks, books, and essays can all be found at https://www.alfiekohn.org/