Parenting is a lot more complex than what it seems from the other side (did you just guiltily affirm that?) It is about a lot of choices and sacrifices-whether to continue working after a child, how to raise the child well, to give up on certain habits of yours and the list goes on.
The way a parent raises a child to reach the apparently universal goal of becoming an upstanding member of their community is largely based on cultural norms. Depending on where a child is born in the globe, the cultural norms for parenting may be rooted in traditions that go back thousands of years. In other parts of the world, the norms are more dynamic and change with the tide of public opinion.
While across the world, all parents may have the similar emotions, thoughts and questions about parenting despite the cultural, linguistic, geographical distinctions, there are certain differences in parenting that do prevail based on these factors. Today, we will discuss 10 unique parenting practices around the world and we are sure that a lot of these will amuse you:
- Bali
In Bali, babies cannot touch the ground until they reach 3 months of age. It is believed that the newborn’s purity can be defiled through any contact with the unclean ground. At three months, the family holds a ceremony where the baby sets foot upon the ground for the first time. Happy feet?
- Polynesian Islands
In Polynesian Islands, it is common for older children (toddlers and preschoolers) to look after their younger siblings, or for that matter, any younger kid. A big happy family!
- Vietnam
Vietnamese parents potty-train their babies using a whistle. They are able to potty train their babies by nine months of age! When the baby fusses or gives a sign that they need to go, parents hold them over the toilet and whistle. These babies are then able to control themselves by the time they can walk. Such army training will save the cost of diapers!
- Britain
The Brits have been seen to lean on positive parenting. In other words, British parents have been moving toward gentle praise and encouragement, rather yelling or hitting their children when disciplining. This style of parenting focuses on the importance of interaction and praise, along with the use of timeouts on the “naughty plays” in order to give children a moment to think about their behavior.
- Denmark
The Danish people are known to leave their babies in curbs or prams while enjoying food inside the restaurant. Woah! That got a bit too much, no?
Curious to know more of such normal yet bizarre parenting practices? Read the next part of this blog here - Parenting Around the World!(contd…)