3 ms·

I wonder whether there is anything specific to Math in this, or whether we're looking at a broader trend, which might perhaps be phrased as "Parents' academic a

by mewse 11y ago

I wonder whether there is anything specific to Math in this, or whether we're looking at a broader trend, which might perhaps be phrased as "Parents' academic anxiety is contagious to their kids"? Or maybe even "Parents' anxiety is contagious to their kids"? Does this work the same way for parents who aren't comfortable talking or reasoning about (for example) history? Or literature? Or is math a special case that works differently from other subjects taught in schools? There's a useful note in the article that maths-anxious parents didn't affect their children's reading ability. But it'd be fascinating to know whether (for example) poorly-literate parents have an effect on their children's reading ability, independent of other factors.

amelius 11y ago
Or what about "mathy" parents that show anxiety for the soft sciences?
- analog31 11y ago
  Is soft science anxiety a thing?
  - grayclhn 11y ago
    Anxiety about writing or public speaking is. Not quite the soft sciences, but maybe close. (I think "outright dismissal" of the soft sciences is more likely than "anxiety" and maybe that's the point you were making.)
zamalek 11y ago
> Parents' anxiety Really anything is - we've all seen it extend as far as prejudices. However, the degree of the influence probably varies wildly and I'd posit that "internal stress/stressors" (such as anxieties, fears) could have the largest overall influence.
wvenable 11y ago
> Or maybe even "Parents' anxiety is contagious to their kids" Definitely. As a parent, you have to be careful not to let your own fears or anxiety influence your children. I'm sure it's a good evolutionary trait -- children who afraid of the same things as their parents probably survive longer in the wild. But you don't want pass along any irrational fears.

3 ms·

I wonder whether there is anything specific to Math in this, or whether we're looking at a broader trend, which might perhaps be phrased as "Parents' academic a

by mewse 11y ago

amelius 11y ago
Or what about "mathy" parents that show anxiety for the soft sciences?
- analog31 11y ago
  Is soft science anxiety a thing?
  - grayclhn 11y ago
    Anxiety about writing or public speaking is. Not quite the soft sciences, but maybe close. (I think "outright dismissal" of the soft sciences is more likely than "anxiety" and maybe that's the point you were making.)
zamalek 11y ago
> Parents' anxiety Really anything is - we've all seen it extend as far as prejudices. However, the degree of the influence probably varies wildly and I'd posit that "internal stress/stressors" (such as anxieties, fears) could have the largest overall influence.
wvenable 11y ago
> Or maybe even "Parents' anxiety is contagious to their kids" Definitely. As a parent, you have to be careful not to let your own fears or anxiety influence your children. I'm sure it's a good evolutionary trait -- children who afraid of the same things as their parents probably survive longer in the wild. But you don't want pass along any irrational fears.