A feature in the The Times reflected on the impact of a study by American sociologist Professor Jean Twenge, suggesting it showed today's young people are so over-praised by uncritical, over-supportive parents that they are unjustifiably self-confident, entirely unaware of their shortcomings and generally spoilt and unpleasant.
Not everyone buys this. Another American academic, Alfie Kohn, criticises the notion that it's anything goes nowadays. "Even generally liberal people have a very dark view of children and are keen to find confirmation that they need more control," says Kohn. "In fact we have reason to believe that children are over-controlled."
It was left to ubiquitous British child psychologist Dr Tanya Byron to argue a sensible middle way. Her advice will hardly surprise the children and young people's workforce: "It's about encouraging your child, wanting the best things for them but learning to say no and to set boundaries."
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