Some of the parents may think that making sure their children do whatever it takes to succeed in advanced courses helps their children develop ‘grit.’ But ‘grit is often misunderstood as perseverance without passion,’ and that’s tragic,’ psychology professor Angela Duckworth, author of the book Grit, told us. ‘Perseverance without passion is mere drudgery.’ She wants people to ‘devote themselves to pursuits that are intrinsically fulfilling.’