I learned years ago, in my past profession, that one was treading on dangerous ground when you tried to minimize anothers (especially youngsters) feelings!

Now if their feelings and convictions are clearly not in touch with reality that's a different deal. But even if they were, trying to convince a youngster otherwise needs to be handled cautiously.

But his feelings and convictions seem well founded and for him ... logical! Anyone that tries to convince him that he is wrong in his beliefs are treading all over him!