How does the prospect of having more money, a bigger house or a newer car sound? If you are like most parents struggling to make ends meet, a windfall of prosperity would be more than welcome.
But, there is a price families pay for that prosperity and it shows itself most acutely in the adolescent years, according to recent research. This finding of the study shows that while affluence often benefits young children in their development, health care and academics, it later becomes a risk factor for adolescents. Teens from affluent homes are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and use substances than teens from less affluent homes.
Many of today's youth are following an illusion perpetuated in popular culture: that if you are naturally good at something, it should come easily. And failure is to be avoided at all costs. In fact, failure is perceived as a confirmation that you are not working in an area of natural talent or giftedness.
But, young people (and apparently some parents as well) seem to be largely unaware that developing competency is a process. This process begins with little to no knowledge about the subject or task at hand. It is only by digging in and gradually adding to your knowledge base that you eventually build competency. It doesn't matter whether you are trying to master algebra, skiing or public speaking; it is not innate ability that enables you to develop mastery of a skill but repeated and sustained practice. And failure, rather than a statement of your limited intellect or skill level is actually a necessary part of building competency. But it requires resiliency to bounce back from perceived failure. Ask any successful musician, artist, salesperson, athlete or business owner. They've embraced their failures as learning opportunities to help them improve.