*this is rant.  it's only a rant.   if you don't like rants, or don't want to listen to my ranting, you should go away now*

I'm so sick of hearing that annoying 'you can be anything you want to be if you just try hard enough' phrase being touted around.

It's simply not true.  If a person has an IQ of 77 they're hardly likely to become a neurosurgeon, now are they?  It has nothing to do with trying hard, it's more a question of simply not being physically or mentally able. 

It seem to me that using that message is setting some kids up for failure.  When little Johnny fails to be an doctor because he simply isn't smart enough, he's going to blame himself for not trying hard enough. 

I understand the parents want their children to better themselves.  I want to see my children not have to struggle like I did, I'd like to see them make something of themselves....but I'd be just as happy with them being plumbers or beauticians as I would attorneys and pharmacists.   Yes, I want them to be all that they can be, but I want them to do it within their capabilities.  Our Jake, for example, isn't a 'book smart' child, but when it comes to cooking....but that boy's a natural in the kitchen and can cook up a (supervised) storm, and he's only 9.  His brother is a straight A grade student, but he burns toast and can't boil an egg.

Each child should be encouraged to be all that they can be, yes....WITHIN THEIR CAPABILITIES.  Telling a 'D' student who's busting his ass to make that grade that he can get a PhD in political science if he just tries hard enough is just setting him up for failure.