What Is Wrong With Desi Parenting?
Desi parenting is deeply rooted in cultural values and traditions and embodies a distinctive approach that emphasizes respect, discipline, and familial interconnectedness. Within, south Asian communities, parenting involves a balance between nurturing a child’s independence and instilling a strong sense of familial duties within a child. Brown parenting, commonly known as parenting is very famous and it has many benefits, but amidst all this, there are many cons to it as well.
In this blog, we’ll be diving into some, of the cons of desi parenting. These practices have been preached and practiced for years. So, let’s delve into it!
Problems Seen In Desi Parenting
1. Pressure For Academic Success
Desi parenting often emphasizes more and more on academic achievement and considers it a top priority. Many parents often decide what their kids should do based on their intelligence and not on what a child wants. The academic factor is a toxic one as parents insist their kids follow conventional career paths like medicine, engineering, or CSS, eventually discarding every choice and interest of a child. Because of this, a lot of children develop low self-esteem issues and tend to live a life that they don’t usually prefer. Desi parents tend to force their kids to become what they couldn’t become and achieve what they couldn’t achieve.
2. Boy Vs Girl
Many Desi Parenting tend to favor boys more than girls, yes still today!
It’s baffling how much the world has progressed but desi parents still tend to favour boys over girls. According to a study, many desi parents dream of having a son as they believe that they continue their legacy and help them in the finances in the future. A daughter is looked down upon by some desi parents.
3. Strict Parenting
Many desi parents believe that if they are strict with their children then, that will make them more disciplined. However, this is not true.
Many studies have found that strict parenting has strong and severe implications for kids. Many kids tend to develop low self-esteem and are afraid to open up to their parents consequently making them nervous and anti-social. The consequences of such Desi Parenting are usually not very good. Strict parenting has always been a very big dilemma in Desi society.
4. Constant Comparison
Another, very famous tactic used by Desi parenting is to constantly compare their children to other children. Desi’s parents think that constant comparison to other children will help in the growth of their children. However, studies have proven that constant comparison of kids to another kid instils a sense of insecurity and jealousy.
Constant comparison can also make a child immune to criticism and make them feel bad about themselves. Parents should always have their children.
5.”Log Kya Kahy gae?”
How can we forget the famous “Loog kya kahy gae?” phrase? Desi parents for centuries have been using this one phrase, and have been ruining the very lives of their children. From generation to generation, this one phrase has been used excessively. This implies that what others are thinking is something that we should value, but in reality, we shouldn’t.
Desi Parenting tend to make decisions based on what people might think of them and their children, totally neglecting and discarding the likes of their children.
6.No Freedom
Desi parents think that giving freedom to their children might exploit them. Desi’s parents seem to be very insecure about their child’s freedom. Many parents try to impose strict rules and regulations on their children thinking that this might help them.
Consequently, this tactic doesn’t work as children try to find ways and lie to their parents for small pleasures.
7. Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
Mental health issues are something that is overlooked or stigmatized within some desi communities. As a result, this leads to a lack of acknowledgment or support for children struggling with psychological and mental challenges. Seeking help for mental health is a sign of weakness. A lot of parents don’t support their children as they believe that mental health is not a big deal.
8. No Affection
A lot of desi parents don’t show affection to their children. As a result, many children tend to feel unloved by their parents and try to look for affection elsewhere.
Solutions To Desi Parenting Styles
Now that we know, the many challenges of desi parenting, we must unveil its solutions as well. The following are solutions to the most common challenges.
1. Open Communication
Parents should communicate with their children openly and freely. As a parent, you should discuss everything with your child and let them ask as many questions as possible. Open communication creates a safe space for discussions and consequently helps promote mutual respect.
2. Free Choice Of Profession
Desi parents must allow their children to promote to follow whatever career path they want. We believe that every child is different and with that being said, they possess unique potential. Parents should recognize their potential and hence, allow them to pursue whatever career path they want.
3. Emphasis On Emotional And Mental Well-Being
Addressing mental health without any stigma is very crucial. Parents must recognize the early signs of any mental health disorder and help their child take therapy. In addition to that, parents should sit down with their kids and have open conversations about mental health.
4. Encourage your children
Parents should encourage their children and should critique them only when needed. Parents must recognize and acknowledge their child’s efforts and achievements and clap for them, whenever needed.
Conclusion
While we understand that a lot of times these restrictions and challenges stem from an area of concern, it is best to recognize these problems and fix them. It’s always better late than ever.
Read Our Article: Respectful Parenting, What It Is, And Why It Matters.