Discussion Topics for In Leah's Wake

How much control should parents exert over a child's life?

• Do Zoe and Will push Leah too hard?
• Is it necessary for parents to push their children in order for them to succeed?
• How do Zoe and Will's actions protect and in what ways do they fail their children?
• Does their intervention help or does it backfire?
• How might Zoe and Will have better handled Leah's rebellion?
• How do micro-managed children fare later in life?

What might cause a seemingly "perfect" child to rebel?

• Is Leah's anxiety caused by her parents' expectations or is it genetic, part of her personality?
• Is there such a thing as a perfect child? If so, how would you define the perfect child?

Do zero-tolerance policies work? Why or Why not? Are they necessary? Should schools ban adolescents from activities that could keep them out of trouble?

• Did Coach Thomas respond properly to Leah's outburst?
• Should Will and Zoe have exercised greater tolerance? Or were they too lax?

How do parents prevent children from falling under the influence of the wrong people?

• How might Zoe and Will have prevented Leah's relationship with Todd from getting serious?
• Should they have banned Todd from their home? Why or why not?

Are a child's personality and conduct influenced primarily by nature? Nurture? Both?

• How are Justine and Leah's personalities a result of their parents' influence?
• Might part/s of Justine and Leah's personalities be inherent? If so, which?

Hillary Clinton said it takes a community to raise a child. What role does a community play in the lives of its children?

• Is the community responsible for the actions of an ostracized child? Why or why not?
• How do gossip and judgment affect adolescents? Are the effects always negative?

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