Parents do not always know best when it comes to what is good for their children
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
April 21, 2016 8:07am CST
We like to believe that parents know best because they care for their children.
While the intention is good, the knowledge is not adequate.
Parents live in a different world than their children.
Many parents are very narrow in their knowledge of the world.
They know the value of a good education in term of career opportunities.
They do not know the world of money and abundance as seen from the eyes of the rich.
Many parents are worker bees, and they expect their children to follow them.
They forget that the technology today takes jobs away from a country in a matter of years.
They forget that their children compete in a world of employment with children from half the world away.
Children have to grow up and learn the harsh new world of survival, and they have to decide what is best for them.
Parents do not know best because they do not see the new world that their children will live in.
12 people like this
11 responses
@birjudanak (14320)
• India
21 Apr 16
parents just want that my child become first in everything and they have not to face any trouble so all parents think that then whose come second..
parents just say to children that you have to become doctor or engineer, but they not ask their children that what you want to become...
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
@birjudanak that is a common attitude of parents.
If you tell them you want to work in the construction, they will feel very sad, and tell you that there is no future in the job.
1 person likes this
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
21 Apr 16
Yes, parents sometime impose on their children.
1 person likes this
@birjudanak (14320)
• India
21 Apr 16
@vickyrose yes they just want to see their child on their way but desnt know what child to do...
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
Communication is one thing, keeping up with the trend is another.
I think the lack of communication is one big factor.
When parents do not understand the standpoint of their children, and yet want to tell the children what to do, they will end up quarreling.
1 person likes this
@Shine10Mathew (153)
• India
21 Apr 16
This is so true. Yes, parents do love their children and want them to succeed in their life. But sometimes they force their children to pursue the dreams of their parents. They should help and support their children in forging their own path than forcibly restraining them to a beaten path.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
The job market now is very different from the past.
The job market in the future will be very different from now too.
Some people can work from home today, and that was impossible years ago.
Maybe in the future, more people will be working from home.
Perhaps surgeons can direct robots to operate on a person from the comfort of his bedroom.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
Many parents still want to control their adult children.
They try to tell them what to do, and what jobs to apply and whatever.
I think many college graduates are puzzled as to their career outlook, since they have listened to their parents to study hard, and get a degree.
The paper qualification does not help them to land a great job!
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
21 Apr 16
I certainly learned a lot while being a parent. I want my children to grow up and fend for themselves and that was my goal. I agree that parents should be aware that their children's time is certainly different from their own.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
I think children have to understand that they are not just competing with the people in their country for jobs.
They are competing with the world for jobs.
I think those children who have studied with students from China will know how competitive the Chinese students are.
If the Chinese students are competitive when they are studying in other countries, you can bet that they are even more competitive in their own countries.
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
22 Apr 16
It is true. As a parent, I am always afraid that I made a mistake and it will have a bad effect on my child. Sometimes children can make their own decision when they grow up, when they are little, they still count on you. Parents in China suffer a lot of pressure
1 person likes this
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
22 Apr 16
@scheng1 My son wants to be a scientists. I like this ambition. Although it may not be a rich career, but it is really meaningful. I hope we can have a lot of money so that he can focus on study the science as a career rather than a job
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
Children in China face a lot of pressure, not the parents.
Parents are the ones adding pressure to the children.
I think you can ask your son to think about his career choice now.
He will take a better look at the jobs that people do in the city, and he can decide what he wants to do later on.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
@youless That is a very vague term.
Science is a term that means everything!
What branch of science is he interested in? You have to tell him to learn marketing and selling skill too.
In the university here, the professors have to pitch to the large companies for funding for research work.
Over here, science and industry co-exists, and many researches are funded by companies and have practical values.
@shaggin (72021)
• United States
22 Apr 16
You have a very good point and it is true even with just raising them from day to day. We as parents try our best but sometimes there is a better way to do things. Sometimes we figure it out, sometimes someone points it out to us, and sometimes we look back years later and realize the mistakes we made.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
Every generation faces a different set of challenges, and I am so glad that I am no longer young.
i cannot imagine the kind of stress that young people and children face today.
The inflation rate is rising, the bank interest rate is too low, housing price is high, and the jobs are disappearing and salary is in fact getting lower and lower.
I cannot imagine how the young people can have a good future even with a college degree.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
21 Apr 16
I think that is probably true, for some parents. But those of us who are aware encourage our children as they grew to get the best education that they could so they could get the best jobs that they were interested in. Its important to let them know its their decision and their life.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Apr 16
Getting the best education may not lead to good jobs or job security anymore.
It is a different world now.
Sometimes it is more important to have a skill, a specialization than to have a degree.
It is also more important to think of the job market globally than locally.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
22 Apr 16
Quite true due to the advancement in technology. Parents should always talk and listen to their children, but children should heed some good advice from parents as their guide; just a give and take process. And parents should adjust to modern technology so they can understand their children.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
23 Apr 16
Parents are good at relationship problem, and other lessons from their life experience, but when it comes to jobs and career choice, they are outdated.
The exception is those parents who are highly educated and working in fast moving technology sector, and they can see the trend.
