Poor Little Rich Kids

Now here's something I find interesting indeed. Psychologist and author Madeline Levine has asserted that affluent teenagers, dealing with pressure and expectations are more prone to disturbingly high levels of depression and anxiety than other groups of same age kids. (Washington Post interview)

Ms Levine says something I find relieving to hear:

I think there's been a real ratcheting up of materialism, as opposed to an emphasis on making connections with people. Competition counts more than cooperation.

In a recent study separate to this, affluent suburban girls were found to be three times more likely than their peers to develop depression.

It reminds me of a great little article I read in an education mag a few years ago, where the author was warning against loading kids up with too many extra-curricula activities, a trend that certainly hasn't slowed down since. This author praised the gifts of (wait for it) boredom. For it is in those long moments when a kid is bored that they may well come up with some great, creative and self-made ideas.

But back to the affluent teenage depression trend. Really, this is a bell tolling for all of us. Here's some great advice:

So what's to be done? First and foremost, say the researchers, be aware of the costs of overscheduled and competitive lifestyles. Second, understand the risks affluence poses to healthy adjustment of children. And a third measure seems self-evident: Make dinner a command performance for all family members.

Thanks to the people at treatmentonline.com for the above links.

Image above taken from Marla Campbell's fabulous art site.

Comments

[HealthPsych]

A great post. I often come under peer criticism because my daughter doesn't have an activity planned for every afternoon. I am resistant to that. A friend of ours overloaded (in my opinion) her son with piano, swimming, football, additional maths, additional english, tennis - all at the tender age of 5. I'm often made to feel that I'm depriving my daughter and holding her back. It's good to hear something that might validate my position a little.

[Alison Tuck]

Good point HP, a lot of this stuff is peer pressure - amongst the adults - who should have outgrown it! It's really very ok to just let kids be kids and not fear that they will be left behind as a result. Good for you, stick to your guns - and know that you are not alone HP!

[jason]

just watched the bra boys rich kids like myself do not have a tight knit community like these people and they grew up in housing commisions they had to band together to get through thier problimatic childhoods. They have people who are there for them every day, just because you have money doesnt make you happy you dont have fend for yourself

[Alison]

Thanks for this comment Jason and you're right. I watched the bra boys last year and really appreciated it. There's a lot of competitiveness in more affluent circles, which creates isolation. In poorer circles, everyone's in the same boat...but I think you'll find too that the quest for material superiority can be found there too, not as pronounced. So it's more possible to find your community. Cheers, A.