Bringing up NextGen
What does it mean to be a good parent? Do you have to be super strict and fierce, shouting and screaming, demanding and disciplining? Or is it better to be a kind friend, caring and nurturing in every little way? I haven't read many parenting books but I'm sure the more modern ones are leaning towards the friendly nurturing style as recent studies have probably shown that that would be the way to raise stable, happy and successful citizens of the world.
But look at us, a generation that got slapped, punished by standing outside the house/classroom, publicaly shamed and caned in front of the school, sent to bed without dinner and so on, and we (seem to have) turned out fine - well at least I feel fine, although on some days I am convinced that if I was nurtured a little more I would now be the CEO of a multi-national corporation, who knows?
Kids these days are softer though - at least that's what we tell ourselves, and given the global competition they will face and the need for creative thinking, communication and leadership skills, and the position Singapore is it (or similarly developed economies) the approach should be similarly "soft".
Back in the day when we were still developing, we needed hard discipline, determination, focus, conformity and a factory-style non-questioning working attitude that was just driven by numbers and productivity. But maybe we no longer need that - but instead have to develop more out-of-the-box thinkers, problem solvers and customer-focused individuals with a combination of technical skills, empathy and creativity - and perhaps you can't really get there using a whip?
Charisma and articulation skills might work better. So all their talking-back might actually come in handy.
But look at us, a generation that got slapped, punished by standing outside the house/classroom, publicaly shamed and caned in front of the school, sent to bed without dinner and so on, and we (seem to have) turned out fine - well at least I feel fine, although on some days I am convinced that if I was nurtured a little more I would now be the CEO of a multi-national corporation, who knows?
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| Keeping one eye on her work |
Back in the day when we were still developing, we needed hard discipline, determination, focus, conformity and a factory-style non-questioning working attitude that was just driven by numbers and productivity. But maybe we no longer need that - but instead have to develop more out-of-the-box thinkers, problem solvers and customer-focused individuals with a combination of technical skills, empathy and creativity - and perhaps you can't really get there using a whip?
Charisma and articulation skills might work better. So all their talking-back might actually come in handy.