Asian Parents

The whole issue of the Asian Parent came up in English the other day, and everyone has complaints about their own. I suppose not all Asian parents are study-orientated- that's just a stereotype. I mean, when I used to go to a Catholic school, there were few other Asian kids in my grade, and their parents aren't anything like the parents of the kids who go to my school now (yes. An Asian-infested Selective school.)

But I think that most parents just want their kids to do what they (the parents) never had the chance to do. I guess being a doctor is a popular choice amongst Asians, but many parents also pressure their kids to excel in other areas, like music, sports or acting (just think of the stage/soccer-mums.)

The thing is, many adults want to live through their children. It's not exactly fair, but that's the reality. They give us the opportunity to do things at an early age when we have not developed interests yet, but I think parents should stop pressuring their teenagers to do something if they clearly do not enjoy it. If the kids do enjoy it, then it's fine. For example, my parents made me go piano lessons when I was four, and even though I would've preferred to go playing with my dolls back then, I do thoroughly enjoy playing the piano and music in general now. So I'm appreciative that my parents have gotten me into the whole music thing.

But I know people who, like me, were given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument at a young age, and who absolutely hate it. Not as they were a kid. Like right now. When they are old enough to be able to make their own decisions. But their parents pressure them to finish what they've started.

I know all parents (okay, not all. But most.) have their children's best interest at heart, but as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

I hope that if I happen to grow up to be an under-achiever, and generally a loser, I will not force my children into doing what I never achieved. Because everyone should have the choice to follow their own dreams, and not that of their parents.