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Synopsis

Could it really be okay to let kids eat whatever they want? Sleep whenever they want? Watch whatever they want? If kids are completely free to make their own choices, won't they develop damaging habits that will haunt them into adulthood? Surely parents have a duty to set a few limits.

But what if a forgotten philosophy from the 20th century explains why this conventional wisdom is wrong?

In The Sovereign Child, Aaron Stupple carries the torch of Taking Children Seriously, a parenting movement whose cornerstone is the idea that children's reasons, desires, emotions, and creativity all work precisely the same way that those of adults do—in short, that children are people.

Using examples gleaned from his experience as a father of five, Stupple takes a close look at the unavoidable harms of rule enforcement and the startling alternatives available when parents never give up on treating children as if their reasons for their choices matter as much as anyone else's.

Praise

"Controlling your kids with a long list of rules is a lot of work. What would happen if you got rid of the rules? In The Sovereign Child, Aaron Stupple, father of five, tells us all about his amazing experiment in rule-free parenting. I doubt it will work for every family, but Stupple's story is worth hearing and worth pondering."

Bryan Caplan Bryan Caplan, economist at George Mason University and author of Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent is Less Work and More Fun than You Think

"When we take children seriously, it just means we trust them to be as human as we are: curious, eager to be included, ready to fix some problems and cause some others. Seeing them like 'us' helps us understand what they need, how they thrive, and why they don't need constant attention, 'teaching,' or assistance. Both generations end up more free. That sounds good to me!"

Lenore Skenazy Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids

"The Sovereign Child offers a groundbreaking and liberating approach to parenting—one rooted in understanding, freedom, and collaboration rather than rigid rules. Drawing inspiration from the revolutionary Taking Children Seriously movement, co-founded by Sarah Fitz-Claridge and quantum physicist David Deutsch, this transformative book challenges the conventional wisdom of enforcing rules on children. Instead, it reveals how such practices can harm your bond with your child, stifle their problem-solving abilities, and obscure the true nature of knowledge. With engaging prose and insights grounded in the philosophy of Karl Popper, The Sovereign Child makes a compelling case for treating children as autonomous, capable individuals. Packed with real-life examples and actionable advice, this book will empower you to nurture confident, curious, and self-reliant children—ready to thrive in a world of endless possibilities."

Dr Ray Scott Percival Dr Ray Scott Percival, author of The Myth of the Closed Mind

"Children are human beings with unlimited creative potential. This book is a roadmap for taking them seriously, unlocking that potential, and building a world where all people are free."

Chris Turner Chris Turner, Founder of Moonrise

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    About the Author

    Aaron Stupple

    Aaron Stupple is a practicing physician, former middle school and high school science teacher, and co-founder of the nonprofit Conjecture Institute. He has been promoting critical rationalism and the work of Karl Popper and David Deutsch since 2018, most prominently through Rat Fest, an annual in-person conference. Aaron lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife and five children.

    Conjecture Institute Logo

    The Sovereign Child is a production of Conjecture Institute, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the philosophy of Karl Popper and David Deutsch. The mission of Conjecture Institute is to apply this philosophy to specific subject areas. The topic of this book, childhood and parenting as described by Taking Children Seriously, is one such area. Others include physics, politics, aesthetics, artificial intelligence, and culture.

    All proceeds from sales of The Sovereign Child will be donated to Conjecture Institute to support projects pertaining to Taking Children Seriously such as school alternatives, fun-based pedagogy, and other parent resources.

    Built by Moritz Wallawitsch