Paolo Crepet, renowned psychiatrist and sociologist, recently shared thought-provoking insights on parenting and the impact of technology on human relationships during his appearance on the Poretcast podcast, hosted by actor Giacomo Poretti. His reflections stress the evolution of parent-child dynamics and how modern technology has contributed to the erosion of meaningful connections.
Reflecting on his childhood, Crepet remarked, “When I was a teenager, I had my own issues like all adolescents, and my mother would always ask me, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Even if I often remained silent, the mere act of her asking made me feel seen and not alone. If my mom had had a smartphone back then, she would have been chatting instead of talking to me, leaving me as transparent as glass.”
This sentiment encapsulates his core argument: the depth of personal interaction is diminishing. He argues parents today are often too preoccupied with their devices to engage with their children meaningfully. Crepet recalls conducting a small experiment approximately twenty years ago with high school students in Genoa: “We took timers and measured how long the family dinner lasted. On average, it was just 13 minutes.” He noted, “Back then, even with the presence of mobile phones, the dinner was certainly shorter than the traditional family gatherings of the past.”
Crepet is not merely lamenting the past. He proposes, “If we’ve lost these rituals of connection, then let’s admit it’s gone. Let’s not pretend dinner is still the time for family bonding if people are eating alone in their rooms.” His candid critique signifies his concern over the societal shift from communal meals to solitary dining, reflecting larger cultural changes.
He emphasizes the need for change, lamenting what he perceives as widespread pessimism. “People say, ‘This is how the world is, it’s how we are, and nothing can change’. But what does ‘it’s how it is’ even mean?” He draws historical parallels, arguing if society had accepted stagnation during the Middle Ages, we would not have witnessed the Renaissance. Crepet posits, “Change now seems to depend on the individual rather than the collective.”
The intersection of technology and parenting is another theme he delves deeply. He warns, “If we think technology should solve all our problems, we will end up being incapable of facing anything on our own.” His perspective urges parents to guide their children responsively without leaning heavily on technological solutions for emotional support.
Beyond personal relationships, Crepet’s upcoming public engagement titled “Mordere il cielo” at the Teatro Francesco Cilea aims to address contemporary existential challenges. Set for February 20, the event intends to catalyze discussions about the emotional void amid societal normalization of disconnection. “The discourse will explore where our defining emotions have disappeared to and the pitfalls hidden behind the facade of normality.”
Crepet elaborates, “I don’t deny the utility of scientific progress, but only as long as humans maintain the power to steer their course.” He sees genuine human experiences as finite and urges the audience to engage with their emotions and know themselves beyond selfish desires.
His dialogue suggests, “To ‘bite the sky’ means to look up and far, reigniting our humanity, reclaiming emotions we are abandoning for personal interest and egotism.” Attendees will engage with Crepet’s stimulating perspective on humanity’s search for truth and goodness as they navigate complex feelings amid the modern age.
Crepet’s approach is marked by realism; he insists on avoiding unrealistic portrayals of happiness. “Being constantly happy is idiotic,” he claims, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and confronting life’s challenges fully.
Through all his initiatives, Crepet invites audiences to reflect on individual agency, pushing back against the tendency to surrender to societal negativism. He encourages young people especially to follow the pursuit of happiness actively, underscoring the concept: “Happiness, once claimed, always seems to fade.”
His reflections challenge parents not only to engage actively with their children but to cultivate relationships grounded in authenticity, reminding all to be vigilant about the digital influence pervading their lives.
Crepet’s dialogues on contemporary issues through immersive and candid exchanges encourage participants to seek and restore genuine connections within their families and communities. His approach to provoking thought aims to reshape personal and relational dynamics as society continues to evolve.