blog one by keying :)

While I was reading the article Our Obsession with Elite Colleges is Making Our Kids Feel Worthless, my memories about two of my friends were brought back. My friend Mary (pseudonym), who was raised in a well-off family, is always a role model in other people’ eyes. However, there is a lack of communication in her family. Every time she tried to tell her parents about her confusion or happiness that occurred in her life, the conversations would soon become focused on her studies, work schedules, or her marriage. Consequently, my friend has become more strong-minded and she has learnt to solve problems by herself. Only good news about her is shared with her parents. Another friend Linda (pseudonym), who did not attend university, is hard-working and positive toward her life. Instead of sending her son to supplementary classes after school or during the school holidays, she likes to spend time travelling with her son. She wants her son to learn from nature and to enjoy his childhood. Linda once told me that it is important for her son to be who he wants to be, and his life should not be overburdened with other people’s expectations. These two stories show contrasting ideas about parental education and family relationships. I do not think I can judge which one is right and which one is wrong because even for Mary, the insufficient communication with her parents hones her ability of thinking and doing things independently. I think parents’ expectations that their children can enroll in a well-known university may result from their vanity but may also result from their love, as parents expect their children can have enough money to live and have no worries about basic living needs.