A father expresses concern about the fairness of providing his children with unlimited access to expensive after-school activities while recognizing the socioeconomic disparities that exist. He acknowledges making decisions, such as hiring a sleep coach and saving for college, that others may not be able to afford. He notes the pressure parents feel to invest significantly in their children amidst an achievement-oriented culture, highlighting the meritocracy trap. Moving forward, he aims to parent intentionally, providing opportunities for his children without reinforcing social inequities.
Parents have always had to make decisions about how much money and attention to invest in their children's future. Today's achievement culture has raised the stakes.
The 'meritocracy trap,' as one Yale professor calls it, is an arms race in which too many parents buy their kids any head start they can find, daring other parents to do the same.
I want my children to have opportunities, but not at the expense of reinforcing societal inequities or their own sense of meaning.
It's hard to spend money you don't have, even on a kid you love dearly. Stories abound of parents stretching beyond their means.
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