A Review:

The Coddling of the American Mind provides us an unconventional look at what is happening on college campuses and with the youth in the United States. Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt use their experience as professors to highlight the changes they have seen in the last decade regarding Generation Z. The most pertinent question they ask is at what point does policing what we say inhibit education and growth? Also, what is the cause of the heightened sensitivity? They approach these questions through a seemingly rare approach in this day in age in comparison to the superficial news stations like CNN and FOX. Instead of calling Generation Z soft or sensitive and leaving the book at that, it delves into why a different upbringing is leading unforeseen repercussions on how this generation navigates the world. In extension, they dive into what the repercussions are and what the future will hold if we continue on this path. They take a moderate position throughout the book and seek to explore the intricacies of the subject. As someone who is liberal, it pushed me out of the echo chamber I am usually in and dissected possible fallacies in the mindset. They explore how striving to create an environment that includes everyone can have adverse consequences that isolates groups. However, they did not spare the conservative group in the slightest as they pointed out antagonistic and violent tendencies. Lukianoff and Haidt point out patterns, provide concrete examples, and include science to explore why Generation Z is so distinct from previous generations. The perfect amalgamation of impacts from the 80s to the internet today has created the culture of the youth. Extensive limits on free play, social media, and the hyperbole of the occurrences that give rise to fear are some of the subjects impacts investigated by these professors. Even if readers do not agree with what the book says, there is something important to learn on the aspect of mental fortitude and growing from trauma. In my opinion, his book is important for everyone to read to learn how to grow together and create progress towards a better society.