New Delhi/Texas: Even with the deepening of global business relationships and the influx of immigrants coming into the US, many American professionals still don't realize how globally competitive markets really are. The past few years in the US, we've felt the pain of a tight job market. And I'm not convinced that my generation is prepared for the next wave of competition from abroad.
In the small town I grew up, it seemed we all deserved to be handed jobs once we graduated high school. If someone lost their job, it was NEVER their fault. And if someone's job was outsourced, uh oh! Not fair!
Like my mom always used to tell me "Jessica, the world is not fair. Get used to it."
But maybe the world is more fair than we think...
With the global nature of markets and the ease of communication between East and West, maybe we should seek to learn from our peers across the world who are putting in extra study time, specializing from a young age and sacrificing greatly to get ahead.
Expectations
When I lived in India, I noticed a few major differences in the way that middle class children are raised in comparison to American kids. Especially regarding the expectations that their parents have for their academic performance.
In America, we want our kids to be involved in activities which they enjoy. Allow them to explore their creative and athletic abilities.
There are no extra-curricular activities in India. After school kids go to 'tuition'- which are extra study sessions.
In America we want our kids to be 'well-rounded'.
In India, parents want their kids to be specialized in a steady field which guarantees employment in the future.
In America we want our kids to be in at least one competitive sport, and some parents push their kids to perform and compete. Parents participate in the support of athletic events and show 'team spirit'.
Indian kids don't really play sports unless its cricket (typically only boys). Girls and boys also play some light badminton on the roof of their house. They stay in their neighborhood within yelling distance of their mother. The only 'team spirit' that they feel is for Indian Cricket.
In America, the ranking and division of the sports teams are a major sway factor and reason for fame of a particular school.
In India, schools are known only for their academic quality and ranked accordingly.
Indian kids and American kids are happy. It all depends on cultural norms and the way the parents formulate and communicate expectations.
Desire for Security
One of the possible explanations for this Indian focus on academia is the desire for security. In America, many middle class families have grown up with a sense of financial security for generations. Our grandparents remember what it was like to live a life of uncertainty (due to the Depression), but our parents may have never been directly affected by severely tough times.
In India, the possibility of poverty is not a distant reality. It is right here, right now. Indians are forced to face this every day as beggars and slums confront them on every time they cross the street. Striving for financial security is a must and a driving factor for most middle class Indian families.
So what can we take away from this?
The world will only become more competitive.
I think we will start seeing trends of American families who give their children a bit more guidance in academia. Clearly setting expectations of which fields they hope their children will go into. Parents will creatively find fun ways where kids can be involved in academia outside of school. Parents will allow time for sports and video games, but will set more stringent boundaries on the child's free time.
We need to make sure that kids who grew up in America are ready for the wave of competition that is about to come. Instead of feeling entitled to a job, American kids need to be prepared to compete with peers like most middle class Indians, who started doing computer programming in 3rd grade.
In the small town I grew up, it seemed we all deserved to be handed jobs once we graduated high school. If someone lost their job, it was NEVER their fault. And if someone's job was outsourced, uh oh! Not fair!
Like my mom always used to tell me "Jessica, the world is not fair. Get used to it."
But maybe the world is more fair than we think...
With the global nature of markets and the ease of communication between East and West, maybe we should seek to learn from our peers across the world who are putting in extra study time, specializing from a young age and sacrificing greatly to get ahead.
Expectations
When I lived in India, I noticed a few major differences in the way that middle class children are raised in comparison to American kids. Especially regarding the expectations that their parents have for their academic performance.
In America, we want our kids to be involved in activities which they enjoy. Allow them to explore their creative and athletic abilities.
There are no extra-curricular activities in India. After school kids go to 'tuition'- which are extra study sessions.
In America we want our kids to be 'well-rounded'.
In India, parents want their kids to be specialized in a steady field which guarantees employment in the future.
In America we want our kids to be in at least one competitive sport, and some parents push their kids to perform and compete. Parents participate in the support of athletic events and show 'team spirit'.
Indian kids don't really play sports unless its cricket (typically only boys). Girls and boys also play some light badminton on the roof of their house. They stay in their neighborhood within yelling distance of their mother. The only 'team spirit' that they feel is for Indian Cricket.
In America, the ranking and division of the sports teams are a major sway factor and reason for fame of a particular school.
In India, schools are known only for their academic quality and ranked accordingly.
Indian kids and American kids are happy. It all depends on cultural norms and the way the parents formulate and communicate expectations.
Desire for Security
One of the possible explanations for this Indian focus on academia is the desire for security. In America, many middle class families have grown up with a sense of financial security for generations. Our grandparents remember what it was like to live a life of uncertainty (due to the Depression), but our parents may have never been directly affected by severely tough times.
In India, the possibility of poverty is not a distant reality. It is right here, right now. Indians are forced to face this every day as beggars and slums confront them on every time they cross the street. Striving for financial security is a must and a driving factor for most middle class Indian families.
So what can we take away from this?
The world will only become more competitive.
I think we will start seeing trends of American families who give their children a bit more guidance in academia. Clearly setting expectations of which fields they hope their children will go into. Parents will creatively find fun ways where kids can be involved in academia outside of school. Parents will allow time for sports and video games, but will set more stringent boundaries on the child's free time.
We need to make sure that kids who grew up in America are ready for the wave of competition that is about to come. Instead of feeling entitled to a job, American kids need to be prepared to compete with peers like most middle class Indians, who started doing computer programming in 3rd grade.
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