One of the units of the second chapter 'Self Mastery' talks about 'self control'. Here, author has cited an example of marshmellow test, wherein a group of 4 yr old kids was taken into a room one by one where each found a marshmellow on a table. Each was told that he/she was to be left alone for a while and that if he/she did not eat marshmellow till examiner returned, he/she would be given 2 marshmellows. Some yrs later their careers were perused and it was found that those kids who could control their impulse of eating marshmellow, were the successful ones.
Children' behavior in public is usually dependent on 'habits', rather 'good habits' as instilled by their parents.One of my cousins, who, I can vouch, would have definitely failed this test is today one of the most successful students of her school. She is also admired by many 'other parents' for her good manners. When she was four, her father was trying to settle in his career and there were many problems in the family because of which, perhaps, her parents neglected this aspect of upbringing. But I guess they really worked on it later. Today, her manners are a subject of amused admiration for entire family. When I was discussing about this with my mom, she said that her generation would be definitely better at controlling such kind of impulse because of the mere fact that they usually shared everything with their numerous siblings. Nowadays parents have only one child or atmost 2, and can afford different things for each ... Makes sense to me!
Children' behavior in public is usually dependent on 'habits', rather 'good habits' as instilled by their parents.One of my cousins, who, I can vouch, would have definitely failed this test is today one of the most successful students of her school. She is also admired by many 'other parents' for her good manners. When she was four, her father was trying to settle in his career and there were many problems in the family because of which, perhaps, her parents neglected this aspect of upbringing. But I guess they really worked on it later. Today, her manners are a subject of amused admiration for entire family. When I was discussing about this with my mom, she said that her generation would be definitely better at controlling such kind of impulse because of the mere fact that they usually shared everything with their numerous siblings. Nowadays parents have only one child or atmost 2, and can afford different things for each ... Makes sense to me!
posted by p at
9:09 PM
