DistantNews
Support us
We tell young people a good life is one without challenges. It's a dangerous idea
🇩🇰 Denmark /Culture & Society

We tell young people a good life is one without challenges. It's a dangerous idea

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • An opinion piece argues that constantly shielding young people from challenges creates a dangerous narrative that they cannot handle responsibility or adversity.
  • The author, a school principal, believes individuals grow by overcoming difficulties they initially thought impossible.
  • The piece reflects on the recent departure of 132 students from an efterskole, highlighting the complex emotions of parents.

Constantly acting as if young people cannot handle responsibility, conflict, or failure inadvertently teaches them that they are incapable of doing so. This is a dangerous notion, according to René Holm Hansen, principal of Viby Efterskole.

"You rarely grow when everything succeeds. You grow when you discover that you can carry something you didn't think was possible," Hansen writes, emphasizing that true personal development often stems from confronting and overcoming challenges.

He reflects on the recent farewell to 132 students from his efterskole. Hansen observed parents taking photos, hugging their children a little too long, and attempting to mask a mix of pride and melancholy that typically accompanies such goodbyes.

The article, presented as a debate piece reflecting the author's views, suggests that an overemphasis on protecting youth from hardship can undermine their resilience. Hansen's experience indicates that learning to navigate and bear difficulties is essential for fostering strength and capability in young individuals.

You rarely grow when everything succeeds. You grow when you discover that you can carry something you didn't think was possible.

— René Holm HansenThe author's belief on how personal growth is achieved through overcoming adversity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog