Angela Duckworth On Her New Book, Grit Controversy and Parenting in a Digital Age

September 2, 2026 - 17:15

The University of Pennsylvania psychologist and author of "Grit" is back with fresh thoughts, and she is not backing down from her central claim: passion and perseverance matter more than raw talent. But in a recent conversation about her new book, Duckworth acknowledged that the idea has been misunderstood, oversimplified, and sometimes weaponized in ways she never intended.

Duckworth, who has spent years studying achievement and self-control, says the "grit" narrative got twisted into a kind of moral failing for people who struggle. She is quick to clarify that grit is not about grinding through misery or ignoring systemic barriers. It is about sustained effort toward a goal you care about deeply, even when things get boring or hard. "I never said talent is irrelevant," she noted. "I said effort counts twice."

The bigger challenge now, she argues, is how parents apply these ideas in a world dominated by screens. Digital life, she says, creates constant distraction and instant gratification, which can undermine the very habits that build resilience. But she is not calling for a tech ban. Instead, she suggests that parents model focus, set clear boundaries, and let children experience boredom and frustration without rushing to fix it.

Duckworth also addresses the criticism that her work oversimplifies complex human behavior. She admits that early research focused heavily on Western, educated samples and that cultural context matters. Her new writing tries to correct that by exploring how environment, opportunity, and even luck interact with personal effort.

For parents, her advice is practical: praise the process, not the outcome. Let kids fail at small things early so they can handle bigger setbacks later. And when it comes to phones, she says, do not expect a child to have the self-control that adults struggle with. Structure helps. So does a family culture that values deep work over constant pings.

Duckworth remains optimistic. She believes that grit is not a fixed trait. It can be grown, like a muscle, through deliberate practice and supportive relationships. The key, she says, is not to push children harder, but to help them find something worth pushing for.