Knowing What's Best for Children
Most of the parents are so protective and afraid that they raise their children emotionally inept, overly-sensitive, and generally weak.
It’s endearing to see this father-daughter duo riding their own bikes near midnight.
We can not even imagine doing that back home.
To make it possible, two things are required:
- Right Parenting
- Trust (in people and the rule of law)
We can say that we don't have the cycling infrastructure back home. And that cycling on Indian roads is fraught with accidents.
But I'd say that even if we had the infra and everything, parents would still hesitate to let their children ride their bicycles at midnight.
Why?
Because of a lack of trust and the twisted thinking of some parents saying that their children deserve every comfort and convenience. That they will not let their children face 'hardships'. So, going in a car makes sense to them.
But here, parents let the children face struggles and tackle them independently.
When a child falls down, they don't pick them up but watch them get up on their own.
Why?
Because this is the right way to prepare the child for a cruel world and uncertain life.
This is like training for a job called life.
And in India, most of the parents are so protective and afraid that they raise their children emotionally inept, overly-sensitive, and generally weak.
Why?
Because the parents can't deal with the unpleasant emotions that arise in them. It comes naturally with parenting, especially while raising the first child.
But is it their fault?
No.
Why?
Due to inadequate training at home and in schools. Life training.
And that training involves Social & Emotional Learning (SEL), among other topics, to become emotionally intelligent and resilient.
SEL could include teaching compassion, empathy, and so on…
This was another example where both parents towed their children at their bicycles' backseat. So many good things this picture says about this place and its people.
Hopefully, we will learn something from it.
