This archive report was first published on 8 October 2021.
Opinion: Kenyans Should Not Let Their Children Grow Up In The US If They Want Them Disciplined ¶
As a Pauline theologian, I have always been fascinated by the differences in child-rearing practices between Western cultures and our own in Kenya. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on this issue while visiting my village in Kenya.
Walking through the village, I saw two small children carrying what I recognized as Jimbi, sugar, and mafuta ya kupima. This brought back memories of my own childhood, when my sisters would be sent to the shop to buy salt or mafuta ya kupima. The mafuta, with its deep orange color, still wrapped in a paper wrap, was a staple in our household.
What struck me was the contrast between the way children are raised in Kenya and in Western countries. In Kenya, children are often given responsibilities and are expected to contribute to the household from a young age. They learn valuable life skills, such as how to navigate the village store and interact with real monkeys that do not speak English.
On the other hand, children in Western countries, particularly in the US, are often shielded from the harsh realities of life. They are often confined to their homes, watching cartoons and sitting in their parents' car in a special car seat. This can be traumatizing for children, and it is no wonder that many African parents who move to the US struggle to adjust to this new way of life.
One of my friends, who had young children, was particularly affected by this. She found it difficult to watch her children being confined to their car seats and being denied the opportunity to experience the world around them. She joked that people should give birth to their children in the US and ship them to their parents or grandparents in rural Kenya for proper child-rearing.
As I reflected on this issue, I realized that the idea of raising children in Western countries is not only culturally mad but also detrimental to their development. Children who grow up in Western countries lack discipline and are not well-prepared for life. They are often taught to be dependent on their parents and are not encouraged to take responsibility for themselves.
On the other hand, children who are raised in rural Kenya are taught valuable life skills, such as how to navigate the village store and interact with real monkeys that do not speak English. They are also encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and are not shielded from the harsh realities of life.
As a Pauline theologian, I believe that children should be raised to be disciplined and responsible individuals. They should be taught valuable life skills and encouraged to take responsibility for themselves. This is not possible in Western countries, where children are often shielded from the harsh realities of life.
Therefore, I would advise Kenyan parents to consider sending their children to be raised in rural Kenya, where they can learn valuable life skills and become well-disciplined individuals. This is not only beneficial for their children but also for the community as a whole.
Published on October 8, 2021, by Diaspora Messenger.
