In Africa before a child is born, the parents or parent (mother or father) has already decided what career the child will have without the child having a slightest idea of what it entails. Even before the child teeth out, he or she is being stuffed with suggestions till they are brain washed into believing that the so called career is for them.
The categories does not usually go farther than Medicine, Engineering or Law studies. Most times there is no keen observation in the strenght and weakness of the child and the child is made to struggle so hard in what they are not good in.
Some of the causes of this pattern include:
- Lost dreams
- For the sake of societal pride
- The higher chances of finding jobs
- Family legacy
These are the most common. Parents who were not able to achieve a certain dream career would seek to make sure their children fulfill those dreams. I find this very selfish but for the parents, it is like still living their dreams through their children. This becomes even more problematic if the child is very brilliant and openly rejects his or parent’s suggestions. Most children will waste years studying a course in the university before going for what they love.
Being a doctor is a big deal. There is this pride attached to it. “Mama Doctor” sounds like honey in the mouth. It doesn’t matter if the student has even graduated. Parents want their children to be a source of pride and seek careers that would satisfy that desire. This again is a bit selfish.
In Nigeria, certain courses in the University have very low chances of the graduate finding a job. You either end up being a banker or a teacher. The certificate is gotten but the certainty of getting a specific job in that area of study is very thin, almost impossible. But for professional courses in medical fields, accounting, Law studies etc have higher chances and so even if there is an interest or not, people struggle to study these courses. We are all looking for a certain assurance and if these jobs hold it then jumping in we go.
Now, this is a bit rare not like rare rare. Just a little bit not common. If a father and mother are already in same occupation then, it becomes a rule that every child born into the family regardless of their interests and abilities is made to continue the legacy.
EFFECTS
The effects are not usually that bad because sometimes the child may come to truely find interest and enjoy the career that has been picked for them but most times the effects are negative. The individual lives with a lifelong regret and dissatisfaction of not being able to pursue their interests. Their approach to their work is not filled with passion and they easily seek a way out without really building anything tangible. We have excess bulk of people pursuing medicine or law every year while other great opportunities are left bare. The most important adverse effect is absence of passion. An example is how some nurses treat patients causing a general term of nurses as witches instead of angels. I have met passionate nurses before and they were certainly not witches but showed love and care to the patients but this has been ruined by vast majority of passionless nurses.
SUGGESTED SOLUTION
When I was in secondary school there was a special unit called ‘Counselling unit’. They were meant to advice students on the possible career a student could pursue based on their interests and abilities. I never visited the counsellor.
Being a parent is tough job but if done well will benefit the whole society, the country and continent and the whole world. A parent has to notice their child’s strenght from an early age, their interests as they grow older. Some parents blackmail their children by saying “You always said you wanted to be this or that when you were a child” but the child did not even know what they were saying. Their strenghts and abilities will be a good guide towards the career of their choice.
Creativity and artistic interests should be actively encouraged. If the child loves to paint, then allow the child learn painting, if it is photography, drawing, playing instruments, this should be encouraged with participation from parents. If it is science that intrigues the child then it should also be encouraged from a tender age. Skills or passion that is encouraged from a tender age has more future than the ones forced on the child. There is mastery in that specific area and early success and satisfaction.
Educational encouragement from schools. Most schools are not very encouraging of art abd creativity. Schools should participate in actively encouraging these side activities,it would be more fun and help children know where to focus their energy.
Another important point about this issue is that some children do not know what they want and even though they exercise certain strenghts in a particular field, they may be too lazy or truancy to show active participation. Parents, schools have to step in and stand firm to navigate these children rightly. Firm decisions have to be taken to ensure these children cultivate their abilities.
Also we have cases of children who seem to have an interest in a particular field but their abilities and strenghts do not match. Let me give an example, a child who wants to study a science course but finds Mathematics and other science related courses as a thorn in the flesh. This category of children should be encouraged to opt for other choices and not be allowed to waste their time trying to get their so called area of interest by all means.
The most important point in career choices is strenght and abilities. If we focus on strenghts, abilities and passion, we would make a very rapid growth in the economy on a larger scale.
CONCLUSION
Africa is blessed with creativity, art, intelligence resources and people but our main problem is that we focus too much on already made products, not the ones we can make. If we can stop looking down on skills and instead see them as an area of good investment then the stigma would be levelled. I believe for the past few years, efforts have been made to increase awareness on the importance of diversifying interests and I hope this is really getting the recognition it deserves. I love art and even though a medical student I have a wide range of interests I am developing. Am grateful my parents have only encouraged me towards my interests bearing sometimes the consequences of my wrong decisions at some points.
Parenthood involves selflessness, being a director and standing firm on the right choices that would give children a good future.
After all this, as natural as Africans can be, we pray that all our efforts be fruitful.
Whatever you do, do it with passion. Passion makes you stand out.
Written By: Onyiyechi Roseline Agwu
