Stress experienced early in one's life can wield an influence for many
             years to come; and can even reveal itself in new social situations. The
             nature of the stress, however, does not seem to determine the type of
             impact it will have on the individual's life. Stress associated with
             performing well in school cannot simply be reduced to the difficulty of the
             curriculum, but must also be tied to outside social factors that might make
             it even more difficult for a student to perform. The way in which this
             student is affected by the stress is largely determined by social support
             systemsâ€"the most important of which, for most individuals, is the mother
             figure. Psychological stress associated with performance in school can
             impact a number of aspects of life, and have unforeseen consequences later
             Cedric Jennings, the protagonist in ,A Hope in the Unseen grew up in
             a poor, inner-city neighborhood. He was one of the less than a handful of
             students in his high school who earned straight A's on his report cards.
             Clearly, this is a significant academic achievement, but the setting he
             accomplished it in made it that much more meaningful. In many American
             schools over-achieving is looked down upon by the majority of the student
             population. Being though of as "smart" can make you a target for taunts or
             Cedric summarizes the woes associated with his high academic
             standards: "Ashamed. The word had been smoldering inside him for weeks.
             What he said, it didn't track somehow. Was he ashamed of getting all A's'
             No, he was proud of that. So why wouldn't he show his face [at the award
             ceremony]' Is it maybe that he's ashamed of being alone all the time, of
             being so lame'" (Suskind 21). So, the stress in Cedric's life was not only
             derived from the pressure to do well in school, but also the pressure to
             fit into a social group that did not value his academic achievements.
             ...