Parenting in India – Things You Need To Know
Our idea of parenting is very different from the western world, even in the most forward-thinking families here.
Parenting is a universal journey, but it’s shaped by unique cultural contexts and societal norms. In India, a country rich in diversity and tradition, parenting takes on a distinct flavor, blending age-old practices with modern aspirations. From family dynamics to educational pursuits, let’s delve into the intricacies of parenting in India.
Indian parenting style is rooted deeply in our culture and in general, the upbringing of children in India or parenting in India reflects the same. Typically, the general guidelines which define well-groomed children are:
- First and foremost, respect your elders
- Not giving back-answers
- Not speaking up in front of the elders
- Showing suitable manners when you go as a guest
- Not asking for anything from anyone
- If someone wants to share something, first politely refuse it, accept only when insisted again
- Certain mandatory visits every year to native place or a temple or some relative was a must
This list can go on and on…
I can bet, everyone born in the ‘70s & ‘80s has been subjected to the above at some point in time during their childhood.
However, parents need to understand that today’s children are vastly different from their own generation in many ways. For instance:
- They like to express themselves and are very outspoken
- They are impatient and want instant gratification
- They need their own space and they think it is their right
- They have their logic of liking and disliking people and things and they are very vocal about it
Most common parenting mistakes
The mistake of today’s parents is that they are approaching parenting the same way their parents did. And this is leading to constant conflict between them and their children. Parents need to accept that their children are quite different from what they themselves were as children and because of which the same approach to parenting will not work anymore.
Parents need to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of today’s children. For example, in the urban parts of India, most of us now live in a nuclear family where both parents are working, and the child is either sent to a creche or kept at day school. Parents hardly get to spend any quality time with the child. There are many such challenges when it comes to parenting in India.
Not only that, in many cases, the interaction between parents and children is only at the transaction level and the child feels emotionally starved and lonely. This subsequently results in detachment with parents and no emotional connection at all. Because of which the child looks at the parents only as a source to provide for material needs. By the time the parents realize that their child is drifting away from them it is too late or too difficult to bring him back and establish a bond again.
What parents need to do?
To avoid the above situation all a parent needs to do is to spend at least 20 minutes every day with the child. These 20 minutes should be without any distractions – no mobile, no TV, and no laptop. Just you and your child. It might seem difficult to take out 20 minutes and you may doubt if it will change anything. But you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of this simple act in enhancing the relationship and bonding between you and your child. This will bring your child much closer to you and provide them with the safety net; they so desperately need.
There are more benefits of the above approach.
- You will know what is going on in your child’s life
- Your child will not feel the need to take advice from friends and peers because now he has your ear and trust
- You can pre-empt problems or at least be better prepared to deal with upcoming problems because you will know it well in advance
So, go ahead parents, it is quite easy to take out 20 minutes a day for your children. The technique is more effective if both parents do this together.
In essence, parenting in India is a tapestry woven with cultural threads, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary ideals. It’s a journey of embracing tradition while fostering innovation, of preserving values while nurturing individuality. As India continues to evolve in the modern world, so too does its approach to parenting, reflecting a dynamic and diverse society where the love and care for children remain a constant guiding force.
