Child Quote by Jennifer Senior
““...as Dr. Spock points out, raising happy children is an elusive aim compared to the more concrete aims of parenting in the past: creating competent children in certain kinds of work; and creating morally responsible citizens who fulfill a prescribed set of community obligations. The fact is, those bygone goals are probably more constructive--and achievable. Not all children will grow up to be happy, in spite of their parents' most valiant efforts, and all children are unhappy somewhere along the way.””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The New Parenting Paradox” by Jennifer Senior, The Atlantic, 2015
Raising happy children is harder than producing competent or morally responsible ones, and happiness is not guaranteed despite parental effort.
In simple terms: Happiness is elusive; competence and morality are more attainable goals.
Key Takeaway
Focus on building competence and moral values, not just happiness.
Themes
parenting
child development
expectations
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- family counseling
- policy making
- community programs
Key Concepts
psychology
social norms
happiness
competence
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents balance fostering competence with supporting emotional well‑being?
- What societal expectations influence definitions of a “good” child?
A Different Perspective
Happiness depends on many factors beyond parenting, limiting control.
