Scott Galloway's New Book Is Great for Fathers

"Katie Couric recently interviewed entrepreneur Scott Galloway, and she read him an email from a female therapist, criticizing him for his capitalistic stance and how his positions impact young men. The therapist's point was that Galloway's positions engendered shame because when folks failed in our market economy, they would inevitably take it as a personal failing, too. British philosopher Alain de Botton recently made a similar observation about American society."

"I'm a mindfulness-based therapist who, like Sam Harris, does not believe in free will; so, I consider the female therapist's criticism to be valid up to a point. Nevertheless, I was impressed by how Galloway took the heat. He admitted that it hit him hard to hear her take, and he respectfully acknowledged her point. He also asserted, correctly, that we do live in a capitalist system with very little social support, and that needs correcting."

Capitalistic systems create winners and losers, and individuals often internalize failure as personal shame when social supports are minimal. A female therapist argued that capitalist messaging harms young men by fostering shame; a philosopher noted that some cultures expect less and therefore internalize setbacks differently, though depression and NEET rates complicate that comparison. A mindfulness-based therapist who rejects free will considers the criticism partly valid while noting that many people still seek romantic connection, meaningful work, and stable lifestyles. Behavioral therapy emphasizes clarifying values, setting goals, and pursuing them despite unpleasant emotions, and modeling values and standards aids teaching others.

Read at Psychology Today