Lots of great points made on this topic already, but Tiger Moms/Karens aren't helping. We don't let kids suffer any consequences anymore and we don't let them fight their own battles (literally or figuratively) without "mama bear" showing up at the school to give everyone hell. My son has a friend he's been swimming with since they were probably 10 years old. It was obvious pretty early on the kid was going to be an elite swimmer. He was 6'6" in 9th grade and already had facial hair. Both this kid's parents were military officers who met at a service academy. This kids entire life has been micro-managed by his mom since his first swim practice (probably longer, but that was my first exposure) She manages every aspect of his life right down to what and when he eats and drinks. I've heard her at swim meets talking to other moms about not liking this teacher or fighting with that teacher. Now they are seniors, and my son says he's the most immature kid in his friend group by a long shot. Any time they are at a travel meet and his mom isn't around, he fucks around like he's a middle schooler. He says the only kids that want to hang out with him are the underclassmen. Kid has signed an LOI to swim at a service academy next year and he's going to be in for a rude awakening.