Do You Want to Read "The Anxious Generation" with Me?

Do you want to read and discuss a book with me? I’m going to read Jonathan Haidt’s 2024 bestseller, The Anxious Generation and would love to do so with others interested in talking about the book, its strengths and weaknesses, and the implications it has for our kids here in East Penn.

Haidt is an NYU psychologist whose is best known for his research on moral reasoning and politics. But The Anxious Generation is about something much different: the dramatic rise in anxiety and mental health challenges among American children. In just the last few years, rates of anxiety disorders and depression among kids under 18 has risen almost 50%! His research suggests two primary causes of this dramatic change: overprotective parenting, and increased cell phone use. I haven’t read the book yet, and want to look critically at his evidence and arguments with you.

One of the things that intrigues me about the topic is that both culprits he identifies are well within our control as a community to change. And so I would love to hear your practical ideas of things we might all do to make a difference in East Penn, after reading the book.

Do you want to read and discuss Haidt’s The Anxious Generation? If so, email me to let me know you’re in! Pick up a copy of the book, get reading, and reserve the evening of Wednesday, February 25th for a discussion. I’ll be in touch directly with all those who respond that they want to participate with further details.