When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The text explores the aspirations of children at age five and highlights important aspects of child development. It emphasises how their dreams are shaped by their environments. These dreams often mirror their parents’ professions. It contrasts the ambitions of children from affluent backgrounds with those from less privileged families. It suggests that parental expectations may conflict with a child’s genuine desires. As children grow, their exposure to the world increases, fostering exploration and personal choice. Yet, conflicts may arise due to differing ambitions between parents and children. Ultimately, it advocates for a supportive environment where children can pursue their aspirations, contributing positively to family and society.
Funny
It is funny to imagine a boy of 5 talking about his aspirations at that time! Children at that age register things in their minds and analyse them to conclude. The age is not mature enough to think about life and future plans. Is that right? No?
Horizon of a child
When prompted, people would say many rosy things. They share goals they might have thought about themselves at the age of five. Wouldn’t that be a flight of fancy? Would it be discreet and not imaginary? What does a five-year-old child think about? It is his/her class in Kindergarten, the class teacher, a few classmates and the ambience of the school. The horizon of a child is not vast enough to plan the future. A child passes through many stages of development.
Analytical power of a child
Organs start developing as a foetus grows in the mother’s womb. The most important organ is the brain. The brain starts forming in the womb. Nonetheless, the analytical power develops only after the baby opens its eyes to the external world. The first two years are the period when the baby tries to pick up impulses and try to taste them. It is common to see babies keeping everything in their mouths after grabbing them in their cute little palms.
Baby learns
The babies learn to crawl and then walk till they become two. Their reflexes are sharp, but the power of analysis is still in the early growth stage. Soon after they start standing on their feet, their angle of vision broadens, and they feel exalted. The journey of a child towatds development starts. They progressively learn, explore and experience things.
Babies try to experience
During their formative period, they want to experience things on their own. They do not even hesitate to grab ember, if not stopped. Parents or caregivers watch their children closely. They protect them from impending dangers.
Blessed ones
Those who claim to have aspired to be a painter or a poet at the age of five are blessed. A child dreaming of being a cricketer, a diplomat, or a politician is truly fortunate. They are a fine person who can describe their nascent feelings in beautiful language. They must have been a brilliant child who could foresee the future and even prognosticate it.
The atmosphere shapes children
The life of a baby revolves around the atmosphere they get. It is the hub of life, which initially controls various things and casts an impression on the baby’s impressionable mind. A baby growing up in an affluent environment will naturally have more resources. The children of affluent families have wider exposure than those from poor or modest families. Initially, a child picks up experiences from the home atmosphere. As they grow, they weave their dreams with the threads they have grown up playing with. It is not strange that the child of a doctor couple often becomes a doctor. A child from a business background usually becomes a businessman. It is illustrated by a few examples.
Bus driver
There lived a family in a rented settlement. The main wage earner was a bus driver. He had a son who was a little less than five years old. The man often on duty, did not join his family. He would come after days of gap. In his harsh and loud voice, he would affectionately talk to his son. Whenever they happen to go to places, they would avail of the bus facility. The child had observed the way his father used to drive the bus. Back home, the child would sit on a cot with a big saucer placed in front. He held its rim like the steering wheel of a bus. It suggested he was driving the bus. He would lisp and express his ambition(?) that he wanted to be a bus driver.
Affluent atmosphere
A girl born in the family of a superannuated administrator had access to improved and better amenities. As a result, she hadn’t faced difficulties while growing. Her grandfather, who had been an executive, was in a better position. Notably, the baby’s father was an entrepreneur. The child, despite getting better facilities, lacks ambition and zeal because of a secure environment that hinders decision-making abilities.
Parents role
A crucial part which shapes a child’s personality is the role of their parents. They have a wider role to play in the development of a child. Parents’ role is impactful and everlasting. It manifests even after the children become adults. Nevertheless, the parental ego influenced by their social status becomes more important than their actual concern. It is detrimental to the mutual relationship and invites undue complications at a later stage. (UNICEF)
Freedom of choice
A child has no choice but to bow to the wishes of their parents. In a patriarchal society, the father decides the future course of the baby. In a matriarchal society, the mother makes this decision. It becomes a bone of contention between the child and parents at a later stage of life. As the child grows, differences of opinion and freedom of choice become a point of argument. Parents fail to realise the aspirations of a growing child and try to impose their will.
Guidance, not imposition
Parents’ concern is quite understandable, but the growing child has their own aspirations and ambitions. Incongruous aspirations of parents and growing children are the cause of the wedge between the parents and their siblings. Sometimes, it takes an ugly shape that results in unfortunate separation.
Let them spread wings
After a certain age, which is certainly not five, children start getting ample exposure from the outside world. It is the crucial stage in the development of a child. It affects the family cocoon, a secure place for the child. Like a butterfly emerging from its chitinous pupal stage, children are ready to fly. They also want to explore, see the world, and experience life. They should be given liberty to decide their path. Parents have to think that they have lived their lives as per their wishes. It is now the chance of their siblings.
Enthusiasm meets maturity
As has been stated earlier, the child is too young to choose a direction. Children not armed with the weaponry of experience. They are not capable of making decisions on their own. If need be, parents can be their guide and mentor. Parents should not impose their will and ego on their progenies. They need to consider their children’s desires, aspirations, and capabilities.
In the end
Children are assets of the country and society. More than progeny, they are responsible citizens who play a vital role in uplifting the family, society, and the country. They are the future. It is the onus of older people to give them a congenial environment for their all-round development and growth. They need to be taken care of, protected and made strong enough to face the adversities of life. It is, thus, necessary that they be given the liberty to choose their career according to their liking.
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