Read this article on Thoughtcatalog and it got me thinking.
Don't be mistaken; I am not going to talk about The Hunger Games in this post. It's about my interest, and how my mom has never asked me about it.
In the article, the writer talked about how her parents maintained a good relationship with their children by engaging in things that their children like. They immersed in pop culture so that they would still be able to keep their children close to them despite them growing up. Harry Potter, Twilight, and now The Hunger Games.
“Why do you always get into the stuff I’m into?” I asked her recently, during a conversation about seeing the Hunger Games movie when it comes out on Friday at the same time but in different cities because we’re nerds.“You sharing a book with me always makes me happy,” my mom replied. “It’s priceless that you’re willing to share the whole experience of it with me.”
Unfortunately, my mom never once asked about the books I read, or the movies I watched. While that doesn't affect my close relationship with her, one part of me has always hoped that she cared more about what I enjoy doing, instead of asking me things like "how's school? Any tests? Have you done your homework?"
When other parents were encouraging their children to read, my parents told me off for buying books. It is a waste of money, they said. They saw no point in reading, and that I should concentrate on getting As in school.
As I grew older, I started listening to music I like, and attending concerts. It is a waste of money, they said. Again. They failed to understand that music relieves me from the stress I receive in school and at home. I've never been a clever child, and the constant pressure to achieve good results really stresses me up.
I wanted to study veterinary sciences. Instead of encouraging, they forbade me to. It has no future, they said. Because you earn big bucks after you graduate as a business student lol.
They have never ill-treated me in any way. In fact, they satisfy my needs and wants most of the time. But like all other parents, they fail to understand that their children do not just ask for that. More often that not, what we want is their support, understanding, and engagement. We listen to your old kampong stories, and so should you try to get involved in our lives. Do not just disagree with the things we do, just because you "know better." Let us fall, let us learn from our mistake, let us tell you how good The Hunger Games (or any other book/music) is.
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