Marvin+Eisenstadt

By Jasmine Garner

A psychologist who in 1989 did a personal study in which he searched through the encyclopedia entries of 699 well-known Americans; he found that about half of them had lost at least one parent by the time they reached adulthood. Most of the 45% of the 699 went on to become highly successful in life (NPR). Gladwell calls these people “eminent orphans”: those who have lost a parent and are thus propelled into self-reliance (12 past presidents are considered eminent orphans). This notion relates to the idea that there are benefits to being the underdog. “Father absence” is prominent amongst famous poets; it is highly obvious in scientists as well. In __David and Goliath__, Gladwell discusses how there can be benefits to each person’s disadvantages; those who are emotionally upset through the life-changing process of losing a parent also have a probability of obtaining success (Psychology Today). However, losing a parent or two can also lead to mental health issues and socially unacceptable behavior. The issue is discovering where the line between outstanding achievement and complete psychosis is crossed when it comes to being orphaned. The question Gladwell poses throughout __David and Goliath__: is the success worth such a price?

Kaufman, Scott Barry. "Confessions of a Late Bloomer." //Psychology Today.// Sussex Publishers, 23 March 2011. Web. 1 April 2014.

Krulwich, Robert. "Successful Children Who Lost a Parent--Why Are There So Many Of Them?" //NPR News.// National Public Radio, 16 Oct 2013. Web. 1 April 2014.