The article Spoiled Rotten by Elizabeth Kolbert explores the self-indulgence and laziness of American children today. In contrast, children in France and those of the Matsigenka tribe in the Peruvian Amazon are remarkably well-behaved and self-sufficient. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Kolbert suggests that part of the problem may be that parents worry too much about their children. Being residents of a highly developed and modernized country, parents are able to offer a lot to their children: good food, new clothes, iPods and cell phones, just to list a few. As a result, children feel empowered. Parents end up fighting for their children's approval and not the other way around. In the words of Sally Koslow quoted in the article, "Our children have simply exploited our bravado, good intentions and overinvestment... the best way for many of us to demonstrate our love would be to learn to non-mother and non-father". .” By working so hard to help their children, parents end up holding them back. It's a cycle: Parents monitor their children's work to help them improve, and in turn, children feel less competent and confident, so they need even more supervision. One potential impetus for this increase in the level of parental care could be university rankings. Well-educated, economically stable parents want more opportunities for their children and think a top college degree is the only way to get it. They are willing to do anything to get it. Doing all the housework is a given, and on top of that they are willing to help with homework, hire tutors, and sue their high school if necessary. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay What is the solution to this problem? What can American parents do to prevent their children from being completely unprepared for the real world? My answer is that parents need to be firmer in rejecting their children, even if it is harder than giving up. As a child growing up in a traditional Chinese family in the United States, I noticed that American parents have a tendency to take the easy way out when disciplining their children. For example, if I felt the need to buy a pack of Pokemon cards that accompanies my mother on her weekly grocery shopping trip, my mother would tell me no, no matter how many times I annoyed her. In contrast, my friends' parents usually give in and buy them what they want since it's easier than repeatedly refusing or potentially dealing with a publicly embarrassing tantrum. This creates the expectation in the child that he can get what he wants by crying: it's a matter of conditioning. This creates problems later in life where the child must be self-sufficient, such as relationships with friends and partners, academic pressure, or looking for a job. So, all in all, I agree with the article: parents need to be sincere when they say “no"..’