Extra credit #2
For this video we are introduced to our host Coleman and his guest Emily
Oster, a professor of economics at Brown university. In this video the two are
primarily speaking on children and how things of the world have and/ or will affect
them. With Emily being a health economist, she gives an insightful exploration into
21st-century parenting reveals a tapestry of surprising truths and challenges, with
a central focus on the profound influence of social media on children. Beyond the
conventional discourse, Oster delves into the complexities of treating all children
the same, acknowledging their diverse needs. The narrative extends to the
consequences of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, transcending the
surface-level impact on learning to address broader societal challenges.
A critical examination of health-related studies forms a significant part of
Oster's discussion. She navigates the intricacies of comparing miscarriage rates
between coffee drinkers and non-drinkers, unraveling the nuanced factors that
confound these comparisons. Oster advocates for a more discerning approach to
research methodologies, distinguishing between observational studies and
randomized controlled trials. She accentuates the reliability of the latter in
establishing causal relationships, while also acknowledging the valuable insights
that well-designed observational studies can provide. “The randomized trial would
be when you took all those people and half of them you give then a treatment and
the other you did not” (Oster). To drive her point about data home she gives
another example of how women under 35 don’t get as many ultrasounds while
women over 35 get more because it is somewhat known that once women get over
a certain age pregnancy gets more dangerous.
After speaking on drinking while pregnant Coleman begins to ask Emily about
her book The Family Firm, which touches basis on the similarities between running
a family and running a business. she describes it as “Management of a family life
with children who have a lot of stuff to do” (Oster).
Oster's exploration extends to the uncertainties within the realm of parenting
decisions. She advocates for deliberate decision-making, urging families to bring
structure and clarity into their choices. The separation of emotional attachment
from logistical considerations emerges as a guiding principle when making
decisions, facilitating a more objective and reasoned approach to parenting.
Coleman then brings up the point that Emily states in her book to create a mission
statement for the family “The broad idea of the [mission statement] that we need
to say things that are important to us…say them out lot with the other decision
makers in the family..” (Oster).
The two talk about extracurricular activities, Oster champions the idea of
encouraging children to explore diverse activities for skill development and passion
discovery. and then they begin to talk about the difference between phonic reading
and other methods of teaching kids how to read. Emily talks about the prevailing
notions about teaching reading, advocating for the effectiveness of phonics-based
instruction. Oster addresses the reluctance to adopt this method, attributing it to
both inadequate teacher training and a misconception of its engagement value. A
little farther down the video the two begin to talk about school closures, Coleman
asks about her opinions on the issue, “We lost some math score…we didn’t learn
how to read..[the] kids are depressed..it feels like there’s kind of a break down in
thw way schools are operating” (oster)
In essence, Oster's exploration invites readers into a thought-provoking journey
through the intricate landscape of modern parenting. Her insights, seamlessly
interconnected, provide a holistic understanding of the multifaceted challenges and
decisions shaping the parental experience in the 21st century.