The Consequences of Quitting

In modern parenting and education, the idea of letting young people quit activities they no longer enjoy or find challenging has gained popularity. Advocates argue that it empowers them to make decisions about their own lives and fosters a sense of independence. While these are valid points, there is a downside to this approach that should not be overlooked. Allowing young people to quit too easily can have negative consequences on their development and future success. Here’s why:

Missed Opportunities for Growth: When young people quit something because it’s difficult or no longer fun, they miss out on valuable opportunities to develop resilience, perseverance, and grit. These qualities are essential for success in life and are best learned through overcoming challenges, not by giving up at the first sign of difficulty.

Impact on Self-Esteem: Constantly quitting can erode a young person’s self-esteem. They may start to believe that they are not capable of succeeding or that they are not good enough. This can have long-lasting effects on their confidence and willingness to take on new challenges in the future.

Lack of Commitment: Allowing young people to quit easily can teach them that commitment is not important. This can translate into other areas of their lives, such as relationships and work, where perseverance and dedication are essential for success.

Difficulty in Handling Adversity: Life is full of ups and downs, and learning to deal with setbacks is a crucial skill. By allowing young people to quit whenever things get tough, we deny them the chance to learn how to cope with adversity and bounce back stronger.

Setting a Precedent: If quitting is accepted as a normal response to challenges, young people may carry this attitude into adulthood. This can hinder their ability to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

Impact on Others: Quitting can also impact others, especially in team activities or group projects. It can disrupt the group dynamics and create a sense of unfairness among those who choose to stick it out.

While respecting children’s autonomy and allowing them to make choices is important, it’s equally important for them to learn the value of perseverance and commitment. We encourage learners to push through challenges instead of letting them quit at the first sign of difficulty. In our studios, we set goals together every six weeks. This time frame encourages young people to overcome the challenges in their chosen work. Let’s say, for example, a learner wants to learn to 3-Model and Print. They set a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goal to design and print six things by the end of the six-week session. Navigating any of the CAD software can be confusing, to say the least, and most learners want to quit after day one. The six-week time frame means a learner will work with the software for six weeks before deciding they don’t enjoy it. Six weeks is typically enough time to determine if your learner dislikes it or it is just challenging.