By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
As we are currently in the age of information, the rapid spreading of data has all but become part of our lives. And though this could be said as something advantageous, in truth it is a double-edged sword. As a result of the influx of information passed around, discerning which info is false or not has become harder. And among these data passed around are the stereotypes of tiger parents in Asia. Though they are much more prevalent in East Asia, the ridiculously high expectation of parents can be found even in our country.
But for the mothers and fathers who have invested much of their time and money for their children, I guess the high expectation is justified. And as a result, doctors, lawyers, etc. are made. Yet, just as there are those who succeed there are those who are crushed by those same expectations. Because what the parents expect are not the only heavy burden riding on many children’s backs. As a child who naturally looks up to his/her parents, self-created expectations are born. And as an only child myself those expectations were all but normal to me in my early days. Having a father with a prestigious profession certainly did not help. But as the only son, there was always a certain pressure to surpass him. Perhaps I was influenced by the Asian stereotypes, nevertheless those could all be expected after the care my parents put into me growing up. Although having met a few of those expectations, I have also failed short in meeting many others. But I am proud in not resorting to vices to cope with the pressure. I have been blessed with a large family, and bonding with my cousins helped me many times in the past.
For those who are unlucky, however, with not much of a family to turn to, resorting to vices are common. And as a result, they create their own families and hang out with many of those who are in the same boat. Some share their troubles while many turn to violence as a form of distraction. Although many may say they care not for their parents’ expectations, in truth, as children we all want to please our parents.
When a child fails in something, perhaps it might be a result of them trying to impress their fathers and mothers. And when we fall, it mainly falls to the parents the job to pick us back up. But our parents can’t keep helping us forever. Independence is certainly a must but raising a child is a lifetime achievement, we will always be a mama’s boy or daddy’s girl. Perhaps one of the blessings in disguise of this lockdown is the forcing of families to eat in the table together again. Also, it is a time when the parents stop from their busy schedule and look back at their children and see the work they’ve done to impress them.
And even if they failed, even a simple “good job” can keep them from the wrong path. Those two words can give them a renewed vigor to achieve their goals not only for their parents’ sake but eventually for their own.
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