the asian approach Options

[innovation]

please do not bash me for being stereotypical; i'm only basing this description on the heavy impression that i have received.

the first-generation of asian kids has it tough. their parents (although very dedicated toward their children's futures) have taken an "asian approach" to education includes rote memorization, pure academic drive, and comparing one's child to other asian children. asian parents have taught their children that competition is everything, which leads these young students to push and stress about academics. they have been taught to be the best of the best: grades, tests, competitions. they are the proud receivers of valedictorian titles, national mathematics awards, piano trophies, and 1600's. they are driven toward success at the world's top universities, aspiring to pursue a profitable, respectable, and educated careers in law, medicine, business, and engineering.

but is this approach to academics truly beneficial?

is this generation of asians so driven toward winning and fulfilling their parents expectations that they are blinded of their own passions and interests? does this blind competition prevent them from becoming creative thinkers in the future? will they ever get a chance to develop their own unique personalities and learn for themselves? sure, the method might result in financial success, but will it really lead their children to happiness? or will their children regret not being able to explore intellectually on their own? in ten years, we'll have so many doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and engineers, but how many will actually be passionate and satisfied with their careers? will they ever feel true accomplishment, not for their parents, reputation, or society's expectations but for themselves?

what do you think about this general "asian approach" and its effect on students' mental, psychological, social, emotional, and intellectual development, as well as their happiness in the future?

[angel-roh]

Hm, I'm glad that my parents doesn't pressure me on stuff that I wouldn't want to do. If I find my own interest, my parents will just agree it along. Like, I want to be a web-designer. My parents gets proud because what I choose is something that the other people would love. So I guess that's why my parents always agrees on the stuff that I want to be for my future career.

I feel bad for the Korean students from Korea because their parents are pressuring on stuff that they don't want to do. They can't even work after school. All they have to do is study and make themselves the best out of everyone. If you heard of the word 'hakwon'. Lots of Koreans hates that and also wants to skip it. But when they skip it, their parents get mad because it gives them embarrassment to other parents.

So I guess that's why Korean parents are forcing their own child to do something that they don't want to do. Of course they have to go to school, but stuff like learning instruments. Well students who gets pressured by their parents might get something at least. Something good. And some won't regret it, they'll probably be thankful from their parents.

Also like Claudia said, about 'suicidal'. That is so true. I know few of the Korean people are doing suicidal because some thinks their parents are pressuring them too much and they don't even really are about their own children. They only care about moneys and intelligence. I don't know, sometimes I think like parents wants them to be the best because in the future, they can get a nice job and be rich.

Also so they can steal their children's money in the future. I don't know I think those stuff these days, yeah right after watching this one short Korean drama. It was about this one parents wanted their children to be the best out of everyone and be very smart because their life is poor, they don't get what they want and they can't even travel around the world.

So by doing something tricky like making their children to do all of these that the parents doesn't even know how to do. If that children doesn't know how to do it, the parents force them to learn it while the parents just have the fun and watching them do the hard works. I thought that was harsh while watching that drama. It gived me the horrible look. I know that, that my dad is like that too. But I'm glad that I don't live with him.

Also it leads to gangsters. These days teenagers in Korea are becoming gangsters like they don't care if they are bad. They want to piss their parents these days. That's all I want to say. Oh yeah I also want to say that there should be a counselor so they can talk to the parents. And ask them questions asking them how are you handling your own kids, do you know what you're really doing. Do you think it can give them happiness? I wish there was a counselor for that. I mean these days teenagers are leading themself in a wrong direction like drugs, gangsters, suicidal. Well half of them.