I think here's what the parent wanted to say: math is hard, but it shouldn't be painful. Mathematicians, contrary to the opinion of the article writer, anre't

I think here's what the parent wanted to say: math is hard, but it shouldn't be painful. Mathematicians, contrary to the opinion of the article writer, anre't masochists. We do math because it's rewarding and fun. Being hard doesn't make it necessarily painful. An analogy: to some, going to a gym is a painful experience. But a lot of people do enjoy it! Of course lifting weights is never easy - but that doesn't mean going to gym is inherently a masochistic experience. Only if one makes it so.