Not being any kind of expert on child-rearing as I don’t have any...
I believe that the outcome of a child’s upbringing is ultimately the sum of the influences exerted upon him/her. Vague, polyanna generic statement, I acknowledge.
I agree with you that exposure to anti-achievement types in junior high and high school years can be a tipping factor, and the same can be said vis a vis achievers.
As the youngest of three boys, the other two of which went to get PHd’s and I who never finished college....though I respect your experience-based opinion, I also believe that deep inside is a simple switch that gets thrown one way or another. If that switch happens to be thrown “anti”, for whatever reason, then astounding amounts of positive reinforcement or influence will probably have little effect. And vice versa, we’ve all heard of cases where kids from abysmal circumstances sometimes achive wonderfully despite all they may go through.
I think what would have helped me would have been mentoring. Though I had every positive influence imaginable around me and got top-of-class grades in elementary and high shools, my switch was thrown to “freedom” and nothing could flip it. What I lacked was mentoring. I had examples aplenty, but no mentoring at all. Others might well be different. My Dad was a great example, but very, very stoic. He was a poor mentor.
I don’t think there is one answer for all. We have a lot of observational tools these days vs what was available in the 30’s, 50’s, and 70’s.
Personally...Even though my husband and I have doctorates, we do **not** ( and have not) emphasized academic credentials with our four children.
What we have instead emphasized with our children ( 3 of the 4 were homeschooled) is enthusiasm, passion, creativity, and excellence for one’s work. For example, if one of our children were a cashier at Mc Donalds we would encourage them to be highly observant, curious, and to ask questions. Their goal should be to learn everything possible about owning and running a McDonalds.
Also...Our emphasis to for our children is to look for ways to increase their choices and opportunities, and in many ways, having formal education does do that. They need to be realistic about this.
Obviously,...The two youths in this article have sharply and permanently reduced their opportunities in life. From here on out, even in the best of circumstances, they will always be trying to make lemonade out of a lemon of a choice.