A fascinating study released last month by Making Caring Common, a project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reinforces what you as a reader of this newsletter already believe: If we value a more just and compassionate world, we need to put a greater focus on raising caring, kind children.
You place a high value on caring and compassion. But are your kids getting the message? According to this study, most are not. The researchers found that most children in middle school and high school value personal success (achievement and happiness) over concern for others, and they say their parents and teachers do, too.
The study calls this a rhetoric/reality gap - "a gap between what parents and other adults say are their top priorities and the real messages they convey in their behavior day to day." While a majority of adults say that raising caring children is primary, "our youth aren't buying it." Below, we suggest some ways to check that your actions are as intentional as you want them to be. Also be sure to read
the report-it's only 16 pages and is filled with valuable information.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
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