Many parents who have experienced personal hardship desire a better life for their children. To want to spare children from having to go through unpleasant experiences is a noble aim, and it naturally stems from love and concern for the child. What these parents don’t realize, however, is that while in the short term they may be making the lives of their children more pleasant, in the long term they may be preventing their children from acquiring self-confidence, mental strength, and important interpersonal skills. Samuel Smiles, a nineteenth-century English author, wrote, “It is doubtful whether any heavier curse could be forced on man than the complete gratification of all his wishes without effort on his part, leaving nothing for his hopes, desires, or struggles.” For healthy development, the child needs to deal with some failure, struggle through some difficult periods, and experience some painful emotions.
*gratification: 만족(감), 희열