NMA’S CORNER!
By Nma Ewere
THE SNAKE IN OUR HOMES
I think there’s something wrong with the system.
Not my system though.
As an impending advocate for human rights I feel something need to be called out.
I’ll be speaking for those who cannot and will not speak.
How the love of a child from his parents is now conditioned on the grades and success of that child.
I’ll be speaking for the child because I’m a child.
(Perks of being under 18…you guys shouldn’t worry, when I get to 23 I’ll start speaking up for adults ♀️)
*shyly smiles*
Imagine a child coming home with a report card filled with A’s, only to be showered with love and praise. Now, picture the same child with a report card of C’s, facing disappointment and cold shoulders. What changed? Just the grades.
I will discuss how the love and affection from parents to their children have become increasingly conditional, dependent on academic grades and perceived success.
In the past, parental love was more often unconditional, focused on the well-being and happiness of the child.
Today, the narrative has shifted significantly.
Success is synonymous with academic achievement.
Parents started to equate their child’s worth with their grades.
And the children are now subjected to conditional love.
They may start to equate their self-worth with their academic performance, leading to long-term psychological issues.
(like constantly seeking validation from others)
Let us not forget the strained parent-child relationships.
With this changed dynamic children feel that they need to earn their parents’ love through academic success, it creates a transactional relationship rather than one based on unconditional support and affection.
Is this how it should be?
In the race for high grades, essential aspects of a child’s development, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and social skills, are often neglected focusing on only the academic performance of the child.
I think parents should rethink their approach.
Academic validation is good but basing your self-worth on academic performance is the real snake in our homes!
(Don’t ask me how )
It is crucial for parents to recognize the long-term damage that conditional love based on academic success can cause.
We must shift our focus from grades to the overall well-being and happiness of our children.
Let us prioritize love over grades and success!!!