Children today are struggling in ways that feel impossible to ignore.

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Attention spans are shrinking. Anxiety is rising. Behavior problems are increasing in homes and classrooms across the country. Students are disengaging from school, withdrawing from communication, and turning toward screens for stimulation, connection, and escape. Parents are burned out. Teachers are overwhelmed. And too often, children are labeled as lazy, defiant, distracted, or unmotivated.

 

But what if the problem is not the children?

 

In The Motivation Crisis, board-certified behavior analyst, school board member, and doctoral psychology student Catey Rice explores the growing disconnect between modern environments and the way human motivation actually works. Blending applied behavior analysis, neuroscience, psychology, education, and real-world experience, Catey reveals how technology, reinforcement systems, anxiety, avoidance, and disconnection are reshaping behavior in an entire generation of children.

 

This groundbreaking book challenges the idea that kids are simply “less motivated” and offers a powerful new perspective:

 

Children are not broken. Their environments are.

 

Through research-backed insights and compassionate, practical explanations, The Motivation Crisis examines:

• Why technology has become one of the most powerful reinforcement systems in history

• How modern environments are reshaping attention, behavior, and communication

• Why school feels increasingly difficult for many children

• The connection between anxiety, avoidance, and behavioral escalation

• How motivation is influenced by reinforcement, relationships, and environment

• What parents, educators, and clinicians can do to rebuild engagement, communication, and connection

 

At its core, this book is not about blame. It is about understanding.

 

Because once we understand why children are struggling, we can begin to design environments where they can succeed.