A review by quitejessi
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff

3.0

I think this is a good book, but one that didn't need to exist. The article, originally published in The Atlantic, which is how I was introduced to Jonathan Haidt, is sufficient for getting the point across. (The point? The kids aren't alright, and that's society's fault.) I agree with most of his points and his push for CBT training. Some of the case studies were very interesting, but a lot were repetitive.

Maybe it's the Gen Z in me, but sometimes I was on the side of the "fragile" people. (Haidt and Lukianoff mention the MeToo movement with a little too much dismissal for my liking, at one point.)

It also lost its focus a few times. Is this a persuasive book? An informative book? A CBT-sponsored book? I don't know. But still, I think the main theme is important for the current American culture. A pretty solid 3 stars.