Benjamin Spock

We all end up at least somewhat like our parents, especially in the way we deal with our children.

In our country today, very few children are raised to believe that their principal destiny is to serve their family, their country, or God.

Perhaps a child who is fussed over gets a feeling of destiny; he thinks he is in the world for something important, and it gives him drive and confidence.

I was proud of the youths who opposed the war in Vietnam because they were my babies.

As a peace activist, I am dismayed by the encouragement of aggressiveness and violence by television, movies, and war toys.

I think we should bring up our children with much less pressure to compete and get ahead: no comparing one child with another, at home or in school; no grades. Let athletics be primarily for fun, and let them be organized by children and youths themselves.