Everyone’s childhood is unique, and it is also during that time period of our lives when we are seen as lesser humans with little power to steer the direction of our narrative. Societal and cultural pressures, norms, and trends shape parental expectations and, in turn, inform parents about how to “shape” their child’s life.

Sometimes, parents project themselves onto their children and expect them to live the life they failed to accomplish or live. Living vicariously through one’s child might give parents a sense of accomplishment where they have succeeded in providing their child with a stable future and comfortable life. For example, this is rather evident in families with Chinese cultural roots where many but not all parents wish for their child to become doctors, lawyers, financial managers, and auditors, or basically any career that earns good money, which brings a good reputation to the family.

Want to learn more about how children are seen as symbols of success in the eyes of parents, and how these heavy expectations from parents can have a lifetime of impact on children’s lives? Tune in to the podcast—The Weight of Expectations: Children as Symbols of Success on Spotify!

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