The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2

I wanted to start off by saying how eye-opening this novel truly is to the boundaries of success and the depth of the actual journey. The Roseto Mystery was an intriguing chapter that gave me a new perspective to look at life from - pertaining to how prosperity is the remedy to a long, healthy life. From that point on, I was already hooked at the book's open-mindedness and couldn't put the book down.
     The chapter that resonated with me the most had to be "The Trouble with Geniuses, Part 2." Malcolm Gladwell brought up some great points as to how "practical intelligence" impacts one's life greatly and it starts from their youth. As he began to elaborate on this, I realized that parents have a significant role in their child's practical intelligence growth. He then used the example of Annette Lareau's study of black and white children from different economic levels, to compare their actual practical intelligence. While reading this I realized her study holds true because an economic level does decide how much time a parent can have in their child's life. Most wealthy parents do not have to work as much as middle class or poverty level parents, meaning they have plenty of time to guide their child or expose them to new activities that their money can pay for. As Lareau explained how the lives of the poor children differed because of their parents' perspective on their children's hobbies as seeking attention instead of viewing it as an interest, it hit me. The middle class students resonated with me most significantly because I fit that exact description. My family expected me to ask questions regardless of the authority figure because that was precisely how you receive the answers you desire. When she employed the scenario of the poor parent at a parent teacher conference it held incredible truth because most poor parents didn't see the need nor duty they obtain in getting involved in their child's education. Now without such a support system or engaged involvement from parents, it makes it extremely difficult for children to prosper intellectually and to gain this power of practical intelligence. I had seen all three of her studies in real life with myself, friends of my own or family members. It made me realize how significant a parent's impact is in their child's life and most importantly their success.