Beeline

An anthropologist uses spelling bees as a lens to examine the unique and diverse traits of Generation Z--and why they are destined for success

At first glance, Generation Z (youth born after 1997) seems to be made up of anxious overachievers, hounded by Tiger Moms and constantly tracked on social media. One would think that competitors in the National Spelling Bee -- the most popular brain sport in America -- would be the worst off. Counterintuitively, anthropologist Shalini Shankar argues that, far from being simply overstressed and overscheduled, Gen Z spelling bee competitors are learning crucial twenty-first-century skills from their high-powered lives, displaying a sophisticated understanding of self-promotion, self-direction, and social mobility. Drawing on original ethnographic research, including interviews with participants, judges, and parents, Shankar examines the outsize impact of immigrant parents and explains why Gen Z kids are on a path to success.

Un antropolog foloseste albinele de ortografie ca obiectiv pentru a examina trasaturile unice si diverse ale generatiei Z - si de ce sunt destinate succesului La prima vedere, generatia Z (tinerii nascuti dupa 1997) pare a fi alcatuita din suprasolicitati anxiosi, urmariti de Tiger Mame si in mod constant urmarite pe social media. S-ar putea crede ca concurentii din National Spelling Bee - cel mai popular sport de creier din America - ar fi cel mai prost.