You can no longer educate 13-year-olds. Right?

Educational myth 11:

You can no longer educate 13-year-olds. Right?
You can no longer educate 13-year-olds. Right?

That's what the expert says:

«Of course you continue to educate your child, just as you did before the age of 13. Not only do I find this statement extremely unsympathetic, it is also based on a very technical model. This says that every child is in the same place after the age of 13. The opposite is the case: every child has an individual development plan and individual strengths and weaknesses. I therefore consider such sweeping statements to be pure nonsense.»

Philipp Ramming ist Fachpsychologe für Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie und Psychotherapie. Er ist Präsident der Schweizerischen Vereinigung für Kinder- und Jugendpsychologie und Vater von zwei erwachsenen Söhnen.
Philipp Ramming is a psychologist specialising in child and adolescent psychology and psychotherapy. He is President of the Swiss Association for Child and Adolescent Psychology and father of two adult sons.

All parenting myths at a glance:

Parenting knowledge instead of parenting myths!
You can find all the myths in our dossier: 15 parenting myths

Read the answers to 15 parenting myths here:

  • Good grades should be rewarded with money
  • Withdrawal of mobile phones as a punishment makes sense
  • A child with a lot of freedom becomes more responsible
  • Only children are spoilt and can't share
  • Kids who fight become criminals
  • Arguing with your children makes them quarrelsome
  • Children should not be forbidden to do anything, otherwise they will become little rebels
  • Lots of toys make a child feel loved
  • Children of divorce are incapable of relationships
  • Defiant children need tougher parenting
  • As parents, you should also be your children's best friends
  • A child should receive a smartphone from Year 1
  • Children who receive early support become more successful
  • A slap in the face has never hurt a child
"150 questions - 150 answers on parenting, family and school". In the 132-page guide, 51 experts have their say. New subscribers receive the booklet free of charge. A single issue costs CHF 14.90 plus postage; you can order it here.
"150 questions - 150 answers on education, family and school".
The 132-page guidebook features 51 experts. New subscribers receive the booklet free of charge. A single issue costs CHF 14.90 plus postage; you can order it here.

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