Are We 'Overinvested' in Our Kids?
Sociologist Nina Bandejl argues that the data shows that how we’re doing child-rearing in this country has led to worsening outcomes for parents, kids, and society at large.
January 29, 2026
54 min
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3,187 of 3,393
January 29, 2026
Are We 'Overinvested' in Our Kids?
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Episode 3,187 of 3,393 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
Are We 'Overinvested' in Our Kids?
Summary
There is near consensus on one facet of American life these days: parenting is hard. In surveys, most parents report being exhausted. Parenting is central to our identities and we do what academics describe as “intensive parenting.” We’re giving it all to our children, and broadly expected to do so. And yet… in new book, Overinvested, sociologist Nina Bandejl argues that the data shows that how we’re doing child-rearing in this country has led to worsening outcomes for parents, kids, and society at large.
Guests:
Nina Bandelj, chancellor's professor in the department of sociology, UC Irvine; author, "Overinvested: The Emotional Economy of Modern Parenting"
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