Bijaya gurung
From the dawn of history, migration has been the defining feature of Humanity. Our Hunter gatherer ancestors wandered foraging from place to another for food and safety. Today people relocate to different places for various socio-economic, political, and personal reasons. With an advent of modern communication and transportation, migration never had been this feasible before.
During past two decade or so, many Nepalese have flocked to western countries in the quest of education and better career opportunities—many with an intention to relocate and settle down. Moving abroad seems to be a generational spirit of Nepalese these days.
Many of us believe that just by being born in a developing nation like Nepal, have barred them exposure and opportunities that would be cherished in developed western nations. Moreover, we have lost faith that future holds something drastically different for our descendants as well. Therefore—as I’ve observed/learned— many people has migrated to west in the hope of better future for their descendants—for the future of kids.
“For the future of kids” many of the first generation immigrants invest their productive years facing the challenges of assimilation; learning new language, adapting to new customs, and often struggle with feeling of isolation for leaving behind the cocoon of communal support they enjoyed back home. Many toil in the hope someday their descendants will not have to bear the hardships as they did.
I’ve came to learn that for many the primary guiding cause of the migration is to create an ideal situation for the kids, which helps to foster their all round multidisciplinary growth and ensure their descendants will be able to live a better life than themselves.
The country one is born in can impact the personality through factors such as language, education, culture, socio-economic and political conditions. Moreover, especially the economic and political environment of the nation plays vital role on directing the life one leads.
Even so , wouldn’t it be a hasty and naïve generalisation to assume that just by the fact somebody born in certain “developed geography” alone could ensure the better future for a person? Or even it could significantly improve the likelihood of one living a meaningful and fulfilling life? Or does just by the virtue of being born and raised in certain context makes kid immune to the probable human follies?
Shaping a character, personality, and brain of a child is complex and multifaceted process; It’s a dynamic interplay of various factors(nature and nurture). I think, good parenting and working for their best interest couldn’t be simply reduced to securing nationality of some “developed country” for them. Most importantly, the ambience that parents create in home and values they will be able to instill upon the kids is the single most vital factor that shapes the persona of the kid(and often overlooked factor?).
I believe those are far more important than rest of the external influences. Parents should be more concerned to instill values that will shape them to lead a successful and meaningful life in harmony with the betterment of humanity.
Most importantly, they should constantly reflect whether they have been able to instill those virtues that we openheartedly admire of western societies—free and critical thinking, acceptance of individual differences and liberty, independence, individuality, and ability to view things in broader scheme. And it demands a tremendous and conscious effort day in and out.
In addition, parenting is lifelong journey always to be learned and improvised. I see, the subject is far more complicated than I comprehend—I admit my understanding of the subject matter is next to nothing. However, the dynamics of raising a good child is overarching and complex matter; It could be challenging, thus, exciting endeavour for anyone.
On the other hand, as the world is turning into “Global village” and getting narrower and homogeneous than ever. At least in theory, people now begin their lives in most better position than their parents. Also those who strive and work hard to live a life driven by goal—of course, with a bit of luck— is welcomed by many countries. It’s not hard to imagine that someone born in Nepal could be educated in some different country and could relocate into country of their preference.
Like any other culture, ours also could have values, which could aid in being a better person and worthy of transferring to new generation. Even the hardships one faces in developing nation could be a blessing in disguise, which could better prepare them for reality of life early in life. In this frame, it isn’t necessarily the country you were born singlehandedly decides what sort of life one leads.
Without an exception, every society and country—irrespective of their socio-economic status and cultural values—has managed to produced some bad apples; as there exists in a good proportion morally corrupted, evil, and unworthy slimes, who struggle to lead modest and reasonably respectful life by any humane standards.
The defining cultural norms of any country could be abused or backfired in developing negative characteristics traits in a person. What would be more scary nightmare than to realise at the dusk of life that all your life had been led astray and that you’ve failed your kids—consequently yourself—to live the life once you thought you would secure for them? Could securing nationality of certain western countries de facto secure the good future for kids or is it a simply a mirage?
