"Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!" is a supported and valid argument of the possible detriment to our children's emotional attitude toward themselves, others and society in general. Kohn emphasizes that due to constant praise and reward of personally expected behaviors, repercussions of social acceptance may arise. It is through this article that a depiction of a valid perspective on the praise of "Good Job" is described. We are all guilty of praising and offering rewards for certain characteristics and behaviors; that "we" employ as good, just and right. Kohn is blatant in the reality of this never-ending cycle and offers a gradual solution to preparing our youth for their future.
As a father of two, I used to constantly reward and praise my children for everything from flushing the toilet to picking up a toy. Please note that I say used too.... As I have matured and my children have grown older, I have learned that constant praise doesn't necessarily resolve or entice my children to correct the initial problem. I agree with Kohn when he implies that we are guilty of praising with "Good Job", of what we as a parent or educator feel is a good job. But in reality it is the premise of again what "we" feel is a good job and not necessarily a whole encompassing good job, that is perceived by educators and peers. For example praising for cleaning up a toy as a good job is nice but it eventually, speaking as a parent, will wear off. One toy is a great job but what about that whole playroom of toys that are still laying helplessly everywhere. The child eventually seems to land at an emotional place of entitlement and constant approval of only their parents expected "Good Job" and not as a learned social whole.
I appreciate Kohn's argument. The validity is there. We as parents, educators and society as a whole, are constantly praising for the small things and the intended child eventually just accepts that they are going to be praised, regardless of the action, task or behavior. Kohn appeals to his audience through pathos, logos, ethos and kairos throughout this ideal of what is a "Good Job". Using direct reference material by psychologists and professors, Kohn is able to offer his credibility through research or the appeal of ethos; the argument is supported with credible sources. His play on his readers emotion while visible can be construed in a variety of different ways. I interpreted the pathos of this emotional article to be enlightening and an emotional way to be supportive of my children in the right way, while others could possibly construe the argument as a judgement on how they are supposed to be raising their children. It is the emotional imprint of the article that could be considered slightly controversial, because Kohn seems to have a tendency to direct and lecture on the right way to praise your child. The logos or logical appeal of this article is directed at a specific group of readers. They are primarily parents, family, or educators that are in contact with children constantly. This targeted audience will have the most to gain and reflect upon after reading this article. The entire encompassing kairos of this article is very fitting during today's conflicting arguments of child rearing in society. We constantly hear horror stories of the "perfect child". They were great students, athletically involved, attending Church, and so on, but now they are in a juvenile detention hall for murder. While I know that I am interpreting this article to an extreme, it is fitting considering the state of our youth today. Kohn has penned at a perfect time and place. Hopefully his argument of "Good Job", will help parents take steps to not only praise their children in a healthy emotional way, as well as prepare them for the successes and failures, throughout their entire life.
http://www.alfiekohn.org/parenting/gj.htm
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