Therapy and self-reliance...

Here's a review of a new book by Christina Hoff-Sommers and Sally Satel, called "One Nation Under Therapy: How the Helping Culture is Eroding Self-Reliance".

For this reviewer, the most intriguing sections of the book concern our public schools which have become, in many ways, a loco therapistis for the country’s children. To summarize the current situation, our primary and secondary institutions are presently expected to provide services which they are in no way qualified to offer. It is now believed by many professionals that bestowing students with a good education alone is not fulfilling our mission. They regard it as essential that we prepare pupils for every facet of life. The line between teacher and social worker is becoming increasingly blurred.

The school as one stop well-being center is now accepted by many an educator. Obsessing about feelings and processing them is the height of chic. The posture of care makes others regard you as devoted, empathic and vested. Should one appear otherwise he will look like a bat-wielding Neanderthal. Exploring moods and student vicissitudes is cutting edge. It’s right up there with using words like “modality” and “rubric.” Should a teacher desire alienation, they would be advised to bring a copy of Exploding the Self-Esteem Myth into their building’s faculty lounge and begin quoting from its pages extemporaneously.

Not only is the idea of teacher as emotional facilitator a complete waste of time and energy, it is also invasive and deters children from absorbing the learning that is their due during instructional time. Sommers and Satel note the futility that is emotion over education:

"School officials should be leery of “feelings” exercises, and curricula that demand that students bare their souls. Indeed, they should consider dispensing with them altogether…The purpose of education is not to find yourself, but to lose yourself."

You can buy the book here.