We do live in a therapeutic culture. Abigail Shrier has a new book coming out called Bad Therapy. I am a Boomer. Serving and helping others is where it's at. I "retired" at 56 not to look for shells in a beach but to help my adult children and to volunteer twice a a week at a ministry to homeless and people in extreme poverty and to help at a local school. Much more satisfaction than being self focused. The Bible says to look to the interests of others and not just to ourselves. It is right.
Such a great, thought provoking piece. I don’t think self development is mutually exclusive from thinking, helping, and being engaged outside of one’s self however I appreciate the perspective that perhaps we can be too biased towards ourselves today. I too am very concerned about censorship and freedom of speech. I appreciate the importance of being curious about people and their experiences that are different from our own. That’s how we learn and understand the world around us and build bridges. Thank you for your bravery to speak your truth always.
As a former school library specialist, I had both versions of the book in my library and the original book was required on and off some years. Different learners gravitate toward one or the other. In my opinion there are better books for middle schoolers and high schoolers on the Holocaust, but Anne Frank is just more well publicized. Anyway, my main point in commenting is that this title has routinely been among the top ten banned books list for decades, so this hullaballoo is not news. Authors wear the banned book moniker as a badge of excellence and the controversies sell more books. The timing of the outrage is a useful tool politically, that's it. The much, much bigger point being overlooked is that funding for school libraries more often than not comes from parent associations not districts, certified librarians in schools are being replaced by parent volunteers, the responsibility for teaching literacy is being pushed onto English teachers or homeroom teachers to avoid hiring media specialists, time for pleasure reading during a school day if included at all is 20 minutes or less. This is why our kids are reading at below grade level. Parents need to understand that while we bicker over "the tree" of one title or another, we are losing the "forrest" of literacy.
Amen! I often wonder how we got here because my parents didn't raise me that way. When you're not happy, find someone to help. My mom had clinical depression, but, to the day she died, she was always helping others. Service is a survival skill.
I read this piece when you first published it. I read it again today, Oct. 13, after having a conversation with my sister-in-law, who is younger than I, about what's happening to our younger generation. I couldn't help but notice your reference to your trip to Israel. This new travesty has revealed even more distressing qualities about many of the youngest generation. Keep writing. You have a gift.
So much this. I'm a Boomer but am appalled by the views held by many women today. So much narcissism.
We do live in a therapeutic culture. Abigail Shrier has a new book coming out called Bad Therapy. I am a Boomer. Serving and helping others is where it's at. I "retired" at 56 not to look for shells in a beach but to help my adult children and to volunteer twice a a week at a ministry to homeless and people in extreme poverty and to help at a local school. Much more satisfaction than being self focused. The Bible says to look to the interests of others and not just to ourselves. It is right.
Such a great, thought provoking piece. I don’t think self development is mutually exclusive from thinking, helping, and being engaged outside of one’s self however I appreciate the perspective that perhaps we can be too biased towards ourselves today. I too am very concerned about censorship and freedom of speech. I appreciate the importance of being curious about people and their experiences that are different from our own. That’s how we learn and understand the world around us and build bridges. Thank you for your bravery to speak your truth always.
As a former school library specialist, I had both versions of the book in my library and the original book was required on and off some years. Different learners gravitate toward one or the other. In my opinion there are better books for middle schoolers and high schoolers on the Holocaust, but Anne Frank is just more well publicized. Anyway, my main point in commenting is that this title has routinely been among the top ten banned books list for decades, so this hullaballoo is not news. Authors wear the banned book moniker as a badge of excellence and the controversies sell more books. The timing of the outrage is a useful tool politically, that's it. The much, much bigger point being overlooked is that funding for school libraries more often than not comes from parent associations not districts, certified librarians in schools are being replaced by parent volunteers, the responsibility for teaching literacy is being pushed onto English teachers or homeroom teachers to avoid hiring media specialists, time for pleasure reading during a school day if included at all is 20 minutes or less. This is why our kids are reading at below grade level. Parents need to understand that while we bicker over "the tree" of one title or another, we are losing the "forrest" of literacy.
What are the other books you recommend? I have grandchildren in the age group.
I am most familiar with middle (M) and high school (HS) not elementary but here are some I’ve read:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (M)
When Hitler Stole White Rabbit (M)
Hannah’s Suitcase (M)
Salt to the Sea (HS)
The Book Thief (HS)
Mapping The Bones (HS)
The White Bird (M- graphic novel)
Here’s a link on age appropriateness from US Holocaust Museum:
https://www.ushmm.org/teach/fundamentals/age-appropriateness
Hope that helps.
Thank you very much.
This is my favorite writing of yours thus far, and I found myself nodding my head and whispering "yes" several times throughout. Thank you.
Wow thank you
Amen! I often wonder how we got here because my parents didn't raise me that way. When you're not happy, find someone to help. My mom had clinical depression, but, to the day she died, she was always helping others. Service is a survival skill.
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I read this piece when you first published it. I read it again today, Oct. 13, after having a conversation with my sister-in-law, who is younger than I, about what's happening to our younger generation. I couldn't help but notice your reference to your trip to Israel. This new travesty has revealed even more distressing qualities about many of the youngest generation. Keep writing. You have a gift.
Here's a simple way to connect with the next generation by leaving messages that we are not ever "born in the wrong body."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QhyIVqPTBG0