CHILDREN: THE CHALLENGE

A sibling to The Challenge of Marriage and The Challenge of Parenthood combines approach and application in this discussion of bringing up children in a democratic society where the young seem to have gotten the better of their elders. Most of Mr. Dreikurs' principles seem to have evolved through his Child Guidance Centers; at first he seems more permissive as he discusses the child's environment and need to belong, his position in the family, and his need for encouragement- the ""most important aspect"" of child rearing. He gets more decisive later on: he contraindicates punishments and rewards and suggests using ""logical consequences"" instead; recommends firmness, respect, order, routine, training, independence and listening; eliminates overprotection, impulse responses, fights; and ignores fears and pity. However he avoids most of the subtler or really difficult problems and many of the recommendations seem simplistic and unrealistic; it's all right to let your non-eater go hungry but what are the ""logical consequences"" of playing with fire? In any case, Mr. Dreikurs is repetitious suggesting that parents are slow learners; they also seem pretty foolish in the household case histories used... Primary.