November 04, 2005
Is USA not good enough?
Last week, I was called to sign my name on a patent application. That form also asked for the citizenship of the person. The admin who prepared the forms had prefilled that field as 'USA'. I pointed it out to her to make a correction that I am a citizen of India. She jokingly asked if USA wasn't good enough for me to be a citizen. I have spent most of my adult life in US and it has been very happy, but, this conversation started me thinking about all the things that I think are wrong about the United States. I don't want to make that list here, but, write about just one incident mentioned by a co-worker.
This man is a very successful scientist and his wife is a tenured professor at Michigan State University and runs a big lab with big research grants. They take an active interest in their children's education and volunteered to participate in 'Career Day' at their daughter's school. The school teacher organising the 'Career Day' called them a few days before the event to inform them that they need not go for it. No children had signed up to talk with the 'Scientists'. They were completely taken by surprise. Their own daughter went to meet with the 'hairdresser' to explore it as a future career option.
Students doing well in science and math are looked down upon and termed geeks and nerds. It is just very uncool to do well in school, especially for girls. This really scares me. What is my daughter going to do when she goes to school?
Posted by Parag at November 4, 2005 01:48 PM
Being a mother of two kids, I have thought and pondered over this several times. But let me give you my view point. We as Indians take the best of the US. We have not changed any of our strong practices that we got into our system either in the name of religion or culture. We still brush our teeth twice a day and still shower everyday no matter the season. We still enjoy our typical meals no matter how much we love the international cuisines. I think that is what, as parents we must do. Teach them the best of the two cultures and teach them how they pick their choice intelligently. Although I enjoy the quiet home, the convenience of controlling our lives with all the privacy etc that I can get only when I am away from my country, I still enjoy my Indian festivals, clothes and above all, what our education system has taught us. Respecting older people, obeying your rules etc. Today, I am proud of my kids. They know what they want. They love India but hate the mosquito bites. They want to do their best in school. They know we all came into the country with maybe $20 in our pockets and what we are today is our hard earned money that we achieved only because of our qualification. The only way they can be recognized in this racial society is being the best.
My advice would be- do what you can do as a parent without being too imposing and they have our blood in their bodies and they are bound to do well! Good luck Daddy!
Very well written Swapna.
Posted by: Ashish Raje at November 5, 2005 08:35 AMWhat happened with your friend is very sad. I guess it's not cool to be a scientist.
I am getting a pop-up on your main page. Never had this problem before. Is it because of google ads?
Posted by: Mahesh at November 5, 2005 08:55 AMOn a lighter note....
Check out this new educational song by Mono of ME2 :) http://www.mothergooserocks.com/headandshoulders.html
Check out other songs on this page. Hilarious. I like no 16, 15.
http://www.mothergooserocks.com
Posted by: Mahesh at November 5, 2005 04:46 PM
