It is a widespread belief that culture is a part of what makes us who we are— but who’s to say that some cultural beliefs apply to current norms?
In a progressive era, some things are bound to change and some beliefs will no longer fit into the socio normative aspect of society.
One of the comical trends we see today in mainstream media is the mockery of uptight parents in Asian cultures.
Even comedians like Jo Koy make these jokes the focal point of his shows. But what draws the line between comedy and emotional trauma?
Millennials agree that there are certain toxic qualities that Asian parents have. It has been ignored for quite some time because children cannot go against it.
Ironically, it’s the idea that a child saying something against it is perceived as disrespect rather than constructive criticism, which is yet another trait commonly witnessed in most Asian households.
A friend of mine once called me in distress, and shared the immense pressure he felt about his career brought about by his family’s expectations. They would often compare him to his relatives who have attained success.
It is somehow lost to some parents that people are allowed to succeed at their own pace. Perhaps it is because a child’s achievements reflect on those who raise them, and parents tend to be competitive among their fellow parents.
Most of the people in older generations often highlight the fact that they’ve had it harder than the current and younger generations.
Change is a drastic concept for them because they experienced the world’s transition into modernity and the millennials are just born into it.
So with the element of retroactivity, their insight on the matter could either be biased or informed. However, our concept of what’s easy and difficult relies on what we have already lived through. So technically, it is not right to be rebuked or chastised for what we have yet to experience.
Sadly, born from this notion is the stigma towards mental health issues. The acknowledgement of certain mental health illnesses is foreign to some Asian families.
When approached with the topic, they quickly dismiss it as somewhat of an overreaction or merely overthinking, unconsciously alienating the child. What’s worse is that when a person is diagnosed with a mental illness, it all boils down to one description: Crazy.
It is a marvel though, how far we’ve come. When we look back at the decades or centuries that have passed, we will appreciate how things really are now compared to how challenging things were before. These are progressive times.
Maybe we should count ourselves lucky for existing in a century where people are starting to open their minds, finally.
These toxic traits have been a cycle for generations and only now that the philosophy of equality and understanding the human mind have become prevalent. Maybe in that particular sense, we are privileged. The people before our time fought to pave the way for an easier transition of a mindset towards the betterment of a collective consciousness.
