Monday MORNING RANT! UZODINMA'S BOOK! NAIJA PARENTS CHOOSING THEIR CHILDREN'S CAREERS!

pix from nowtoronto

Uzodinma Iweala has written another book which we hear made the front page of the washington express!Kudos to him!

However, the reporter pointed out that while he is a writer, he is also going to medical school, with a "little pressure from his parents"

Now one thing I can never understand is why "Naija/African parents apply a "little bit of pressure to their children's chosen career?" Perhaps it could be because other careers especially those in the arts are not seen as real careers? That is of course until they make money. They end up not happy but simply pleasing their parents.

To you reading this blog post, how do you intend to raise your kids. If your son says he wants to study design or your daughther wants to be a model/tv host? Would you say they don't make as much income?Study Law/medicine/engineering/accounting (African chosen careers) instead?

Comments

Omodudu said…
I am in the same profession as my dad, because he carefully nudge me towards it. If I were left alone, I would have ended up as a fashion designer, graphic artsist, or a photographer. However, given the reality on gground in Nigeria of the 80's and 90's, the nudge was a neccessary evil. Things have opened upa bit now, Nollywood, Nija music, and the arts generally so nowadays it may be counterproductive. I think they just did the best, but now things are changing and its hard for Niaja parents to change their tactics, inertia.
Anonymous said…
@omodudu
thanks so much for stopping by! you are so right on this issue! The premise was certainly about the Nigerian reality in the 80's and 90's
With things changing and people watching big brother nigeria fashion shows nolly wood etc. This may no longer be the case

Perhaps our generation would make that change? who knows?

I remember when i went the technology route it was such a big deal (because I should have studied law)

Now everyone understands when they hear about my experience, I am glad I made the choice back then.

Now I am going to make another choice, in design and I am excited about the future.
Anonymous said…
@omodudu
thanks so much for stopping by! you are so right on this issue! The premise was certainly about the Nigerian reality in the 80's and 90's
With things changing and people watching big brother nigeria fashion shows nolly wood etc. This may no longer be the case

Perhaps our generation would make that change? who knows?

I remember when i went the technology route it was such a big deal (because I should have studied law)

Now everyone understands when they hear about my experience, I am glad I made the choice back then.

Now I am going to make another choice, in design and I am excited about the future.
Anonymous said…
i'm one of those people who still don't know what they want to do when they grow up. Now i'm glad that I was nudged into studying an 'african profession'
Point is, it's not really a bad thing for parents to nudge their children. I think the problem actually comes when parents are insistent on the child towing a certain professional line when their passion lies elsewhere.

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