Not just the Kids

In my previous post I shared about the pressure to perform among young school children, especially children in Asian countries.

It's not just the kids who are under such stress. It's
the adults too! The other day I heard someone venting that the majority
of people are stuck in the rat race, unable to get out even if they
wanted tobecause there's no apparent alternative. He said that the only difference is whether you are a highly-paid rat or a poorly-paid one. The fact remains that we're all rats!!

Even if you own your own business, you're still in the rat race because you're competing for business, striving to outdo your competitors. How far you are prepared to go depends on what's driving you.

It could be wanting a "better" life for your family, a more comfortable lifestyle, a higher status in society, etc. However, these things come at a cost. You find yourself working longer hours, having to prove to the boss that you're worthy of a promotion and a bigger pay packet, or if you're the boss, having to entertain clients to clinch that important business deal, travelling to source goods, etc, etc.

So that time has to be debited from time that is meant to be for the family. These days it's not just the dads but the mums as well that are missing from family time.
A dual income family is more the norm these days as a higher standard of living entails more expenses. Sometimes there is a misplaced perception of having to keep up with the Joneses. Their kids go to private schools, so will mine!

What happens? The children are left to their own devices and many of them have come out to say that their parents do not have time for them and as such they do not feel any closeness in their relationships with their parents. There is no real bonding. Their material wants are met but not their emotional needs. They become vulnerable to ruthless predators whether in the offline or online community.

There is a real danger of our Asian family fabric coming apart at the seams. Asian families used to be close-knit and family bonds superseded all else. When one is in distress, the others rally round to assist. However, this is often the exception now. Everyone is too busy.

Is it worth the price? Having a lovely home with all the external trappings of luxury but ringing hollow, with family members estranged, no closeness with your children now into their teens, and almost like strangers, who possibly regard you as an ATM that will finance their wants, the purchase of the latest gadgets,
who prefer to spend time chatting with their friends online rather than have a meaningful conversation with you? Maybe it's because they don't know how to talk to you anymore???
How well do you know your children who in such a short time have morphed into young adults?

What kind of model are you for them? What qualities have you imbued them with? What living skills have you given them?

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