Encouraging children to believe that they can achieve anything they set their mind to with the help of hard work and determination is a popular message in many cultures. There is no denying that the ones who buy this message will need to acknowledge a set of advantages as well as disadvantages for the same which will be highlighted in the upcoming paragraphs.
To commence with, one of the major advantages of passing on this message to the younger generation is to inspire and empower them to work hard and reach their goals. Elaborating on this, the message instills self-belief in juveniles, assisting them in pursuing their ambitions with vigor while persisting in the face of obstacles. A child, for instance, who is told he can become a doctor with proper hard work may be more motivated to study and pursue a career in medicine. Additionally, many successful individuals believe that this message may end up giving birth to a growth mindset – an essential trait for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Nevertheless, repeatedly telling children they can achieve anything with hard work may promote individualism, where success is seen as solely the result of personal effort, disregarding the role of social support and collective actions. Resultantly, there will be a lack of empathy and solidarity with others as well as a loss of respect. Moreover, in delivering this notion, there is a tendency to turn a deaf ear against systemic inequalities such as racism, sexism, and classism.
In conclusion, while encouraging children to believe in themselves and their abilities can have a positive impact on their motivation and personal growth, it is important to also acknowledge the potential weak points of this message, such as a lack of awareness of systemic inequalities and a focus on individualism.