One Nation Under Therapy: How the Helping Culture Is Eroding Self-Reliance

Americans have traditionally placed great value on self-reliance and fortitude. In recent decades, however, we have seen the rise of a therapeutic ethic that views Americans as emotionally underdeveloped, psychically frail, and requiring the ministrations of mental health professionals. Today—-with a book for every ailment, a lawsuit for every grievance and a TV show for every conceivable problem—-we are at risk of degrading our native ability to cope with life's challenges.

Drawing on estab...