June 24th, 2008
Games Indian People Play #2
Indian parents are known for comparing their children with others. There is a tremendous amount of pressure placed on Indian kids to live up to their parents and peers, and I think that in some cases it’s gone too far.
-Krishna
June 24th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I think this concept is slightly outdated. While it’s true that there is a lot of pressure to perform academically, parents of a newer generation have been far more relaxed and open-minded about their children’s wishes and career aptitudes than before.
On the other hand these days it’s the kids that are pressurizing the parents… :p
June 24th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I should have clarified that statement to say that this pressure is mostly coming from Indian parents who live abroad (1st gen) than it is from Indian parents in India. Having been back to India recently, I see how relaxed most parents are compared to the ones in the US. More to say about that subject, but this comic was mostly a flash-back to my youth…
June 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I got it from the other direction
Dad - Bill doesn’t get speeding tickets.. why can’t you be like Bill..
Me - Bills Dad is a Judge
Dad - That’s not the point and you know it!
June 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Yes, Krishna, but you’re right in a way. The situation is not that changed in India, but attitudes are definitely changing around slowly.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Indian parents may not be the only ones at this. I remember living a lot of situations like this when I was a kid. And I’m spanish. Just like indian, current spanish parents seem to be quiting that nasty habit. ;-D
June 24th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I can’t help but wonder if it is a sign of the times in general. My family’s been in America since the Mayflower (so no cultural effects for me), but I got similar lines from my folks. My dad wouldn’t let me get a job in high school to earn money (so I could hang out with my friends of course)–my “job” was going to school. Pity is, it didn’t come close to paying minimum wage . . . .
June 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Oh I remember those conversations well! I can’t wait to have them with my own kids. Krishna, I’m sure we’ll be more ‘relaxed’ parents but don’t kid yourself. Mental Combat is part of being a parent. Besides, is this really different from parents who push their kids to excel at sports? That just wasn’t an option for our parents.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Hey.. just a small mistake - its hypocrisy not hypocrasy
But i guess your version points to the accent