I find it misleading that what Caplan calls “variations in parenting” would actually mean “switching from a high stress/ high pressure version of normal middle class parenting to a low stress version of normal middle class parenting”. You oppose that very limited definition on the one hand, and “extreme changes in how the child is treated” on the other hand, but there are many third options. Homeschooling, for example. Or raising a child in the countryside as opposed to a crowded city. I have nothing against the limited version of Caplan’s argument, but I’m concerned readers might be misled into updating towards a bigger version of the argument.
I find it misleading that what Caplan calls “variations in parenting” would actually mean “switching from a high stress/ high pressure version of normal middle class parenting to a low stress version of normal middle class parenting”. You oppose that very limited definition on the one hand, and “extreme changes in how the child is treated” on the other hand, but there are many third options. Homeschooling, for example. Or raising a child in the countryside as opposed to a crowded city. I have nothing against the limited version of Caplan’s argument, but I’m concerned readers might be misled into updating towards a bigger version of the argument.