Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "childhood affluenza," where children, despite having abundant material resources, struggle to find joy and satisfaction in everyday life due to an over-reliance on consumer-driven happiness [8][12][17]. Group 1: Childhood Affluenza - Many children today live in unprecedented comfort, often being the sole focus of their parents and grandparents' attention, leading to a lack of experiences with scarcity [12][13]. - The constant provision of material goods and experiences raises children's "happiness threshold," making it harder for them to find joy in ordinary life [16][17]. - As a result, children may feel bored and dissatisfied when returning to everyday routines after high-intensity experiences [9][18]. Group 2: Importance of Everyday Experiences - A healthy childhood should include a balance of stimulating activities and ordinary experiences, allowing children to appreciate the simple joys of life [23][24]. - Parents are encouraged to reduce the frequency of extravagant outings and instead foster an environment where children can engage in everyday activities and find joy in them [21][30]. - Allowing children to experience boredom can lead to self-discovery and the development of personal interests, which are crucial for their growth [40][41]. Group 3: Parental Approach - Parents often feel pressured to fill their children's time with activities, but this can lead to fatigue and a lack of genuine connection [24][26]. - Emphasizing the importance of unstructured time can help children cultivate their ability to find joy independently [42][44]. - The article advocates for a shift in parental mindset, focusing on providing space and freedom for children to explore and grow rather than constantly arranging activities for them [44].

Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by China's first generation of only children, who grew up in affluent families but now confront economic pressures and personal uncertainties as they enter adulthood [11][23]. Group 1: Background of the Only Child Generation - The first generation of only children in China, born in the 1980s and early 1990s, were raised during a period of economic transition and were often provided with abundant resources by their parents [11]. - These children were given opportunities such as overseas travel and access to prestigious educational institutions, which were intended to enhance their future competitiveness [11][10]. Group 2: Personal Experiences and Challenges - Individuals like Mike and Fangzi, representative of this generation, initially enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle supported by their parents, but later faced difficulties in achieving independence and stability in adulthood [10][12]. - Mike's experience highlights the pressure of finding suitable employment after graduation, especially in a saturated job market where the number of graduates has reached 8.2 million [19]. Group 3: Economic and Psychological Impacts - The article notes that many in this generation are experiencing anxiety and a sense of loss as they realize that the advantages of their upbringing do not guarantee success in the current economic climate [23][24]. - Fangzi's reliance on her parents for financial support and decision-making illustrates the psychological dependency that persists even as they attempt to establish their own families [18][26]. Group 4: Future Considerations - The narrative raises concerns about the potential for the next generation to inherit similar challenges, as parents worry about their children's ability to navigate life independently [28]. - Both Mike and Fangzi are beginning to recognize the need for financial prudence and emotional independence, indicating a shift in mindset as they confront their realities [24][26].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the pitfalls of over-parenting, highlighting how excessive resources and control can lead to a lack of motivation and independence in children, ultimately resulting in negative outcomes in their development [19][21][76]. Group 1: Over-Parenting Consequences - The experiences of two brothers from a wealthy background illustrate that despite having access to top-tier education and resources, they became unmotivated and failed to thrive due to over-parenting [19][20]. - Over-saturation of resources leads to a loss of interest and motivation, as children become accustomed to having their needs met without effort [34][36]. - The concept of "childhood affluence syndrome" is introduced, where children raised in abundance may feel empty and lack direction, leading to psychological issues [37][39]. Group 2: Psychological Insights - A study involving young rats demonstrated that those with limited resources were more active and engaged, suggesting that struggle can foster growth and resilience [26][30]. - Interviews with adolescents from affluent families revealed feelings of emptiness and lack of purpose, indicating that over-provisioning can deplete intrinsic motivation [36][46]. - The article emphasizes the importance of allowing children to make choices and face consequences, which is essential for developing responsibility and self-awareness [66][67]. Group 3: Recommendations for Parenting - Parents are encouraged to cultivate the ability to earn rather than provide everything, teaching children the value of hard work and patience [57][60]. - Allowing children to make decisions and learn from mistakes is crucial for their growth and adaptability in life [63][68]. - Education should focus on awakening a child's interests and passions rather than merely imparting knowledge, helping them find meaning in their pursuits [70][73].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "Affluenza," where children from affluent backgrounds experience emotional emptiness and lack of motivation despite their material wealth, leading to a sense of meaninglessness in their lives [3][9]. Group 1: Early Peak Experiences - The term "Affluenza" describes children who, despite having abundant material resources, do not achieve greater happiness or resilience [3][5]. - Children in affluent environments often experience "peak experiences" too early, leading to a loss of interest and a sense of meaninglessness as they have too many choices and little effort required to achieve success [6][7]. - Psychological studies indicate that children who easily attain peak experiences may lack novelty in their lives, resulting in a diminished sense of anticipation and a reliance on instant gratification [7][9]. Group 2: Parental Expectations and Pressures - Children from wealthy families face immense pressure to achieve high accomplishments, primarily driven by anxious parents who fear losing their social status [9][10]. - The pursuit of elite education becomes a reflection of parental values, where success in college admissions is seen as a return on investment for the resources spent [10][11]. - The high expectations from parents create a stressful environment for children, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and even self-destructive behaviors [11][12]. Group 3: The Role of Insight Moments - The article emphasizes the importance of "epiphany moments" in personal development, which are often absent in the lives of affluent children who are overly scheduled and lack genuine experiences [13][14]. - Authentic college application essays require reflections on personal insights that affluent children may struggle to articulate due to their lack of meaningful life experiences [13][14]. - The author concludes that while wealth can enhance life experiences, it can also lead to loneliness and a lack of genuine connection, highlighting the need for deeper engagement in life [14].

以下文章来源于谷雨星球 ，作者玉莹 事实上，这个词最早出现在1908年的社会学研究中，英文"Affluenza"，被认为是一种像流感一样有传染性、痛苦的疾病，更是提出了一个尖锐的问 题： 经济状况如此优越的孩子，为什么没有变得更幸福？更有后劲？ 哈佛毕业的心理学博士布莱斯·格罗斯伯格 （Blythe Grossberg） 写的畅销书《我在上东区做家教》，通过对一群纽约上东区孩子的观察，给出了一个 犀利的答案： 谷雨星球 . 一群相信教育可以更多元的理想主义者，和我们一起重新想象国际教育。 本文来自微信公众号： 谷雨星球 ，作者：玉莹，题图来自：《白莲花度假村》 最近有一个词多次刷屏朋友圈："童年富裕症"。 简单来说，说的是很多孩子的物质生活充裕，却出现情感空虚、缺乏自驱力，抗挫力也差。 这些从小上着昂贵学校，父母、机构、老师都围着他们转的小孩太容易获得了人生巅峰体验，有着太多选择，反倒导致他们早早对周围的一切失去了 兴趣，陷入无意义感。 讽刺又心酸的是，这种现象蔓延至越来越多的中产家庭，心甘情愿陷入了富养小孩的陷阱里。 ■热播的《白莲花度假村》第三季里，塑造了一个看起来对世界充满同情的名校女孩，深陷无意义感， ...

Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of "Affluenza" describes children from affluent backgrounds who experience emotional emptiness, lack of self-motivation, and poor resilience despite their material wealth [2][3][4]. Group 1: Characteristics of Affluent Children - Many affluent children are overexposed to peak experiences, leading to a loss of interest and a sense of meaninglessness in their lives [4][19]. - The high costs of private education and tutoring services, such as $20,000 for kindergarten admission and $800 per hour for exam training, illustrate the extreme measures taken to secure educational advantages [8][10]. - These children often have their schedules meticulously planned, with little room for spontaneity or personal growth, resulting in a lack of genuine life experiences [52][56]. Group 2: Parental Expectations and Pressures - Parents in affluent areas, particularly in the Upper East Side, impose high expectations on their children, which can lead to significant stress and anxiety [27][28]. - The fear of losing social status drives parents to push their children relentlessly, often leading to a cycle of anxiety and pressure [30][36]. - The pursuit of prestigious college admissions becomes a reflection of parental investment, turning education into a game of wealth and privilege [36][38]. Group 3: Psychological Impacts - Children from wealthy families exhibit high rates of anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities, often due to the overwhelming pressure to succeed [45]. - The lack of "epiphany moments" in their lives, which are crucial for personal growth and self-reflection, hampers their ability to create authentic college application essays [48][52]. - The structured and privileged upbringing leads to a disconnect from genuine experiences, resulting in feelings of loneliness and meaninglessness [58].