Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn, born on October 15, 1957, in Miami Beach, Florida, is an American author and lecturer specializing in human behavior, education, and parenting. He earned his B.A. from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1979, having designed his own interdisciplinary course of study. He then pursued an M.A. in the social sciences from the University of Chicago in Illinois, completing it in 1980. Kohn has established himself as a proponent of progressive education and an outspoken critic of traditional methods in parenting and schooling. He resides in the Boston area, working as an independent scholar, where he continues to write and speak extensively on his areas of expertise.

Kohn’s career is marked by the publication of fourteen books and numerous articles that challenge widely accepted theories. His work frequently addresses topics such as the downsides of competition, the limitations of rewards, and the ineffectiveness of conventional discipline. He is also known for his critiques of standardized testing, grades, and homework, often advocating for a constructivist approach to learning where students actively create meaning. His perspective on parenting, detailed in works like “Unconditional Parenting,” emphasizes meeting children’s long-term needs over short-term obedience, advocating against methods like praise and other extrinsic inducements that he views as forms of conditional parenting.

Over the years, Kohn’s ideas have made him a debated figure among educators, parents, and in corporate circles. His insights into motivation and human behavior have garnered attention from various industries, including business, particularly following endorsements from figures such as W. Edwards Deming, who championed Kohn’s books “No Contest” and “Punished by Rewards.” He has written articles for prestigious publications including The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review, and his lectures are sought after at education conferences, universities, and corporate events. His sustained contributions to the discourse on education and human development have earned him several awards, including the National Council of Teachers of English George Orwell Award in 2000.