Able Quote by David Elkind
“The shift from the perception of the child as innocent to the perception of the child as competent has greatly increased the demands on contemporary children for maturity, for participating in competitive sports, for early academic achievement, and for protecting themselves against adults who might do them harm. While children might be able to cope with any one of those demands taken singly, taken together they often exceed children's adaptive capacity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hurried Child, 1999
Children face many high expectations simultaneously, overwhelming their capacity to adapt.
In simple terms: Too many demands exceed children's coping ability.
Key Takeaway
Balance expectations with developmental readiness.
Themes
childhood
stress
development
education
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
psychological
parental
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parental guidance
- sports programs
Key Concepts
over‑scheduling
mental health
risk of burnout
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits are appropriate for child development?
- How can adults protect children from harm?
A Different Perspective
Some pressures can motivate growth if managed.
