| To assume that only corporate executives, obsessive | | | | Age Of Anxiety that can offend the traditionalists in |
| socialites, and market-crazy entrepreneurs feel anxiety | | | | parenting. Ultimately, the book does make some |
| is simply incorrect. The fact is, with all the pressures | | | | decent argument about how parenting styles, principles |
| and concerns in the world today, even what was once | | | | and techniques have changed, or, more appropriately, |
| considered sacred or stress-free has become proof | | | | how it needs to change. |
| of Darwinian evolution. The fact that a book like | | | | The book, unfortunately, makes a poor introduction to |
| "Perfect Madness: Motherhood In The Age Of | | | | another related problem --- test anxiety. Perfect |
| Anxiety" and psycho-emotional conditions like test | | | | Madness: Motherhood In The Age Of Anxiety only |
| anxiety serve as ample proof that even mothers and | | | | briefly tackles stress from the perspective of the |
| kids have to suffer through the effects of anxiety and | | | | parent. The book fails to see that while the parent is |
| fear. | | | | under pressure, the child is also getting undue pressure |
| Perfect Madness: Motherhood In The Age Of Anxiety | | | | from the parents in question. This pressure, when |
| is actually a good book, even if it does have a rather | | | | taken to the extremes, can become test anxiety. |
| stern academic-looking cover. Provided that the reader | | | | Although it is not only kids with success-obsessed |
| has enough time to spare at home during the | | | | parents that can develop test anxiety. |
| weekends, the book will give the reader plenty of | | | | The fact is, the modern educational system has the |
| details about anxiety attacks, a condition common to | | | | fatal flaw of depending far too much on tests to |
| most mothers who need to juggle the demands at the | | | | determine a student's educational standing. Recent |
| office and at home. To some degree, most mothers | | | | psychological developments indicate that there are |
| would be able to relate to the contents of the book, | | | | students who have brains that, while highly intelligent, |
| specifically those that appear to be well-researched | | | | are simply not wired to learning within the context of a |
| items and and anecdotal evidence that support the | | | | formal school. These students, among others, can |
| entire thesis of the publication. | | | | develop undue test anxiety. Their fears of failing the |
| Moreover, Perfect Madness: Motherhood In The Age | | | | test, which could lead to failing school, can put more |
| Of Anxiety can also serve as an excellent window to | | | | pressure on them than is healthy. |
| the world of a typical mother for those who haven't | | | | Test anxiety, unfortunately, is not getting as much |
| experienced the joys, and yes, the occasional | | | | attention as performance anxiety is. There are various |
| frustrations of motherhood. While much of the book | | | | theories that explain this seemingly blatant ignorance, |
| will likely require first-hand experience to be more fully | | | | though some argue that there simply isn't enough data |
| appreciated, the pages of "Perfect Madness: | | | | on test anxiety to present to the public at large. That, |
| Motherhood In The Age Of Anxiety" simply can't be | | | | combined with the number of anxiety drugs that can |
| dismissed even by the most skeptical of people. The | | | | have dangerous side effects when given to children, |
| book also takes a jab at what might have caused the | | | | may limit the ability to study the phenomenon. |
| "über parenting" phenomenon that is now prevalent | | | | For tips on thyroid shadow syndrome and post |
| among next-generation parents. There might be some | | | | thyroidectomy, visit the Thyroid Pain website. |
| statements in Perfect Madness: Motherhood In The | | | | |