Platitudes On Indian Parenting

Thyagarajan · Jun 19, 2022

Platitudes On indian Parenting

Tributes received in my WhatsApp group

Rihana · Jun 19, 2022

It's the curry powder.

KashmirFlower · Jun 19, 2022

The child was so emotionless yet humble. This caught my eye. I too felt kids, (<16 years olds) don't show emotions much here in USA, may be in Indian cities also now a days.
@Rihana any comments?

Rihana · Jun 20, 2022

KashmirFlower said: ↑

The child was so emotionless yet humble. This caught my eye.
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With regard to the spelling bee contest itself, the child might look emotionless due to the immense concentration it requires to hear and word and spell it out orally. It is easier to write or type a word than to spell it out loud. And the overall pressure of such a competition. They do show plenty of emotion when they win or lose or just when present with fellow competitors on the stage.

I too felt kids, (<16 years olds) don't show emotions much here in USA, may be in Indian cities also now a days.
@Rihana any comments?
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Interesting observation. I wouldn't say don't show emotions. Rather kids in the US may be quieter when not with their peers or friends. When they are in a car or bus with their friends, the chatter noise can make driving difficult for the adult driver. : )

I happened to see this in my FB feed today:

Mistt · Jun 20, 2022

Rihana said: ↑

It's the curry powder.
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Lol!

KashmirFlower · Jun 20, 2022

Rihana said: ↑

With regard to the spelling bee contest itself, the child might look emotionless due to the immense concentration it requires to hear and word and spell it out orally. It is easier to write or type a word than to spell it out loud. And the overall pressure of such a competition. They do show plenty of emotion when they win or lose or just when present with fellow competitors on the stage.

Interesting observation. I wouldn't say don't show emotions. Rather kids in the US may be quieter when not with their peers or friends. When they are in a car or bus with their friends, the chatter noise can make driving difficult for the adult driver. : )

View attachment 268630
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Agreed on both points.

Thoughtful · Jun 20, 2022

KashmirFlower said: ↑

The child was so emotionless yet humble. This caught my eye. I too felt kids, (<16 years olds) don't show emotions much here in USA, may be in Indian cities also now a days.
@Rihana any comments?
Click to expand...

I had a chance to visit an Indian city recently. I went to the small community playground with couple of kids waiting for their friends to join for play ( about 11 to 13 yrs old ). I started chatting with them and showed an interest to play with them. It was such a joy to talk to them. One of the was like a leader. He showed respect, yet was not over-whelmed by my presence or the fact that I came from US. He said, "Yes Uncle, lot of people come here from US from time to time". He reassured me "Uncle, you don't have to wear mask, there is no Corona here". He eased into the conversation with me as though he would talk to another 12 year old. As his friends joined, each of them talked to me, discussed game ideas, took suggestions from me, made their own suggestions and we had such fun time. My experience was so surreal, I might as well have walked into an RKNarayanan novel. I have never had this experience in US but for a much smaller aged indian kids,but they mostly listen to the adult.

I can tell that these kids will be successful ( I wish they will ) in life no matter what they do. They will never be lonely or be a victim as they have tapped into the art of living in a community, rely on each others strengths. I could tell the difference between the kids in America (indian-american) and the kids in India and how mentally healthy the kids in India are. The kids in india can't be shamed, can't be ostracized, they are not shy or hesitant seeing an adult and are inclusive, not just age wise but gender and differently abled kids as well. All kinds of kids showed up and they played, there were arguments, disagreements, but at the end, all of them walked with hands on each others shoulders, to return the next day to start all over again.

I wished I could stay in this environment longer. But after couple of days, I had to bid adieu to my new found friends.

SGBV · Jun 20, 2022

Thoughtful said: ↑

can tell that these kids will be successful ( I wish they will ) in life no matter what they do. They will never be lonely or be a victim as they have tapped into the art of living in a community, rely on each others strengths. I could tell the difference between the kids in America (indian-american) and the kids in India and how mentally healthy the kids in India are. The kids in india can't be shamed, can't be ostracized, they are not shy or hesitant seeing an adult and are inclusive, not just age wise but gender and differently abled kids as well. All kinds of kids showed up and they played, there were arguments, disagreements, but at the end, all of them walked with hands on each others shoulders, to return the next day to start all over again.
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This!