Blog Tour: NutureShock

Summary by Publisher. In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?

NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked.

Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.

Review. Every so often a book is published that dominates the conversation on a particular topic and changes the conventional wisdom. NutureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman is such a tide-changing tome. It will set parents’ (and others’) tongues wagging for years to come.

NutureShock handily demonstrates, by dissecting the latest scientific studies, why so many “in vogue” ideas of childrearing are wrong at best and detrimental at worst. Few sacred cows of modern parenting are left intact and untouched. For instance, frequent, general, praise, does not promote children’s self esteem, but rather hinders it. Nor do intelligence tests accurately reflect intellect in young children. And perhaps most astonishingly, the best child liars may also be the most socialized and well liked of children.

Reading each chapter in NutureShock was like firing at the shooting range where the targets being taken out were sacred parenting beliefs. It was both enjoyable and a little disturbing when I realized how wrong a lot of my core parenting values were. Still I think I am a better parent for having read NutureShock and you will be too!