Adults Quote by Barbara Kingsolver
“Will you explain to me why people encourage delusional behaviour in children, and medicate it in adults?”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 2018
Society often encourages unrealistic behavior in children but suppresses it in adults, leading to contradictory treatment.
In simple terms: Children are encouraged to be delusional, adults are medicated.
Key Takeaway
Question societal double standards in mental health.
Themes
mental health
societal norms
childhood
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- healthcare policy
Key Concepts
psychology
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we celebrate imagination in youth but punish it in adulthood?
- How can we support healthy imagination across ages?
![“Adults, in their dealing with children, are insane," he [Ed Ricketts] said. "And children know it too. Adults lay down rules they would not think of following, speak truths they do not believe. And yet they expect children to obey the rules, believe the truths, and admire and respect their parents…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e88/john-steinbeck-71_adults_adults-in-their-dealing-with-children-ar_2873228.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
