Indian culture and lifestyle are unique as compared to other countries. That’s why raising kids in India is a way different experience here. Indian culture and beliefs are deep-rooted that influence the daily life of people living here including the education and schooling of children. Multiple factors influence the upbringing of children in India, some even acting as strong directives for shaping them into self-reliant yet empathetic human beings. Here are some factors that make raising kids in India different from its Western counterparts.
 |
| An Indian family is deeply connected to their culture. |
Factors that Influence Raising Kids in India
Family Structure and Ethics
The family structure in India is entirely different from the practices followed in Western countries. In India, children usually grow up in joint families or nuclear families with a large family tree. As a result, cultural ethics and values are naturally imbibed into their behavior as the kids grow. Kids learn to share resources, adjust with family members and care for each other. Naturally, the kids comprehend the concepts of gratitude and compassion.
 |
| Joint family in India |
The collectivistic nature of the Indian family system promotes interdependence and social cohesion. However, the same can be seen as a source of interference while making crucial decisions. The reason behind this is the stronghold of older generations in the decision-making of the minutest things happening in the family which even causes discord at times.
Despite all the intercession and rebellion, you learn to sort things out by talking to each other, understanding different perspectives, and finding the most viable solution to the problem at hand. That is how generations have survived being a family in India. These ethics and family bonding not only make you good as a member of the family but also as a human being.
Cultural Influence
India is a land of diversity where multiple cultures co-exist in harmony. However, this cultural influence is also observed in the education system via a spiritual focus wherein God is always held in high regard. The cultural practices not only introduce common moral values but also teach discipline and open-mindedness.
 |
| Impact of Indian Culture on Indian Kids |
Religion, and culture in India are holistically embraceable and ubiquitous, unlike the conservative religious upbringing of Western countries. The cultural influence lays a strong foundation for faith and life ahead. Indian parenting is directed toward the holistic development of a child by infusing the right value system and exposing children to diverse experiences. This approach, in turn, influences the overall growth and learning experience of the children.
Schooling and Education
The education system and schooling in India follow a completely different approach as opposed to the Western framework of learning. While Western countries focus on a hands-on learning approach in the discipline of interest, children get exposure to different fields of learning in India for a long duration of schooling.
 |
| The Indian education system is still evolving. |
Indian kids learn various subjects and get exposure to varied disciplines before they can set their minds and choose a stream of interest. Specialized training and hands-on learning come with higher education and on-the-job training.
Further, every field in India is highly competitive. Children have to really work hard to get higher education into a stream of their interest because there are thousands of prospective candidates for the same pursuit of education. As a result, academic stress is observed as a regular phenomenon in India because of high expectations from parents and teachers.
However, recent changes and remodeling of the education system in India have made it more student-centric. New learning alternatives include online schooling and home-based learning.
How Raising Kids in India is Different from Raising Kids in Western Countries?
While Indian parents focus on a holistic approach and inculcating family values in their children. Parents in Western countries focus more on making their kids self-reliant. They believe that it is much more important to develop social skills than teaching discipline and following cultural practices.
Moreover, India does suffer from its share of social reforms like
gender biasing and conservative thinking. Boys and girls are raised
differently, wherein boys are usually kept away from household chores, while
girls get training in life skills.
Interestingly, families provide a better support system for parents in India, unlike Western parents who are on their own. Also, financially strong parents in the West rely on house help and full-time nannies as kids stay away from extended family. Many teenagers offer babysitting services that prove to be beneficial for both parties.
| Western culture and upbringing are very different from Indian ones! |
The acceptance of nannies and full-time helpers is also part of Indian
family systems now, but primarily in big cities. Young girls and women from
underdeveloped areas often get employed as babysitters or nannies in big cities. Also,
they are often treated as a part of the family.
While modern Western societies perceive growth as an open-minded approach to every aspect of life. The closer family bonds, as observed in India, raise emotionally-stable children who have a better intercultural understanding.
Scientific Parenting
Cost of Raising Kids in India
No wonder the cost of raising
kids in India is expensive in terms of schooling and education. Recent
research suggests that the overall private schooling expenditure of a child between
3-17 years in India is around Rs 30 lakh. Further, the exact figures are still
unpredictable because the fee structure keeps changing every year. A college
education is even more expensive than schooling, let alone elite institutes and
top-rated education centers.
Must Read- Tips for Raising Inclusive Kids
Conclusion
Despite being a conservative country with a family-oriented upbringing, you get a morally empowering and culturally enriching atmosphere to raise kids in India. The cultural heritage and traditions for celebrating little things in grand sizes teach us to respect different perspectives, religions, and spiritual beliefs. The family structure and parenting in India emphasize the importance of values and discipline in life.
Although Indian parenting
is based on emotional bonding, people are emphasizing more and more on positive
parenting in India. In today’s times, they accept individual differences in the
social system but focus on the holistic development of the kids. With constant
positive transformations, children in India can enjoy the best of both worlds
in terms of better education based on a value system as well as a progressive
lifestyle.
References-
https://www.momspresso.com/
https://k8school.com/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/the-cost-of-raising-a-child-in-india-school-costs-30-lakh-college-a-crore/articleshow/93607066.cms
https://www.differenttruths.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.