The Good News About Bad Behavior: Why Kids Are Less Disciplined Than Ever-And What to Do About It
Katherine Reynolds Lewis, 2018, PublicAffairs
Review by A Child Grows___________________
In The Good News About Bad Behavior the Lewis argues that defiance and simple refusal to follow instructions is a broad trend of the times and is getting worse. She speculates as to why–screen time, consumerism–but presents only the start of a case with no follow-through on the causes. She does however present some strongly argued solutions. Her main argument: punishment doesn’t work.
Lewis first presented her case in a Mother Jone’s article in 2015 that was very popular. She spends a good amount of time in the book describing how criticism causes distress and is bad for the brain. She believes any kind of punishment has a negative effect and that we should stop trying to control kids and instead give them more independence. She believes it’s best to talk to children and address the source of their issues rather than the behavior. Kids can often come up with their own solutions. Also, she agrees with all the experts that sleep is super important.
She says the book is not a parenting manual, but a piece of narrative journalism. I would have to disagree there. If you go by space used in the book, it would say that it’s mostly a breakdown of the Parent Encouragement Program (A non-profit that has four books by adherents and absolutely offers parenting instruction). That is not bad though. It’s always helpful to read about new techniques or methods and there is no need to join any group to get the benefit of some of Lewis’s great tips. She also reassures us that things get better and we shouldn’t worry so much