"I think that from very early ages we [in America] see struggle as an indicator that you're just not very smart," Stigler says. "It's a sign of low ability — people who are smart don't struggle, they just naturally get it, that's our folk theory. Whereas in Asian cultures they tend to see struggle more as an opportunity."
This is a very interesting look at the differences in education. The obvious drawback of the American view is that people tend to give up quicker, as pointed out in the article. This means that the kids are limiting themselves. You will never learn something if you do not believe you can do it. I also believe that this is why engineers and scientists tend to be stubborn. One cannot obtain a science or engineering degree if he gives up too easily. :-P