Occasionally, my blog is a book recommendation.
I recently read Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. It is a powerful book. I struggled to put it down.
Haidt is a professor at New York University and the author of several New York Times bestsellers. Before reading this book, I had heard him quoted several times but never listened to his podcasts, read one of his books, or seen one of his TED talks. My loss.
Reading this book and reviewing his compelling research is life-changing. I hope every parent stops and finds the time to read (or listen) to his book. It spurs you to action to ensure that you and your family are taking control of how you and your family cope with today’s fast-paced world.
Nearly everybody I come across sees that our country is struggling with mental health. Most of us have been touched by somebody who struggles with anxiety or depression. It seems you would have to be in denial not to feel compassion for the generation of children growing up today.
I understand today’s children have much more going for them than those I grew up with—so much more opportunity and information—yet they struggle to cope. Today’s children grow up in a more accepting world of people’s uniqueness, but every indicator says they are struggling. Why?
Haidt and I don’t share a worldview. He says he is an atheist, which makes the book even more compelling.
Many people would quickly jump to blaming Social Media, and Haidt is critical of social media, but he doesn’t blame social media solely. He blames us—the people who let smartphones and constant access to social media dominate their lives and take over their world.
Often, people cite the COVID pandemic as forcing us all into our corners of the world and becoming out of touch with real people and face-to-face interaction. Haidt shows us how, for the most part, our current issues started around 2010 and accelerated through 2015. The pandemic only served to make us aware.
I warn you: If you read this book, it will force you to rethink your life. If you have young children, you may put off getting them a smartphone. However, reading this book could change some of your habits, give you more free time, and increase your social interactions with real people outside of your computer or smartphone.
The book ends with a practical guide for how we can help improve our nation’s mental health. It outlines actions we can take in our personal lives and steps our government, including schools, can take to improve the long-term mental health of the people we love. Many of his suggestions are based on ideas implemented in both red and blue states.
Hopefully, this blog didn’t make you discouraged about the world. I leave you with the thought that it’s not hopeless; things can get better. It just won’t be easy. But what in our lives is truly worthwhile and easy?