I am acquainted with numerous individuals who previously held aspirations of raising their children in foreign lands such as the United States, Europe, or other developed countries. The primary rationale often centers on the advantages it provides for the children, particularly regarding access to high-quality education. This point is unquestionably valid.
It is reasonable to presume that most schools in developed nations are adequately staffed with dedicated teachers and qualified personnel. These educational institutions are well-equipped with essential resources like laboratories, provide extensive access to books and educational materials, and cater effectively to the extracurricular needs of their students. It is only natural for parents to aspire to provide such exceptional educational opportunities for their children, isn’t it?
Nevertheless, times have evolved significantly. I have encountered numerous individuals who no longer hold the aspiration to raise their children abroad due to the cultural disparities that do not align with the essence of Ethiopian society in any manner.
Increasingly, there are accounts of individuals residing in countries like the US who are opting to return to Ethiopia expressly for the purpose of nurturing their children here. This marks a notable shift from the past.
In the past, it was inconceivable for Ethiopian diaspora to return to Ethiopia solely for the purpose of educating their children here. So, what has precipitated this transformation? It appears that several factors have contributed, with the predominant one being the cultural shock that Ethiopians abroad find exceedingly challenging.
Unfortunately, substantial transformations are also unfolding here in Ethiopia. Due to the influence of the internet and globalization, some of our children are undergoing significant changes. Particularly, social media is shaping our children into versions that are scarcely recognizable within the familiar Ethiopian social and cultural framework. Our children are striving to emulate the personas depicted in American movies, mimicking their physical attributes, gestures, and conduct. It becomes perplexing to discern whether these children truly embody Ethiopian identity or a more Westernized persona. The most disconcerting aspect is the impact on their behavior.
Our children are increasingly drawn towards modernity in the form of harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, and frequenting clubs. What is even more alarming is the normalization of these substances within our children’s educational institutions.
For instance, in the school attended by my daughter, a student was apprehended concealing a bottle of gin in their bag. Shockingly, this student was likely in the 8th or 9th grade.
Recently, I encountered an interview with a parent whose child is enrolled in one of the international schools in our vicinity, prompting profound contemplation on the roles we play as parents and as a school community.
In the interview, the mother recounted the distressing incident of her 10th-grade son being discovered intoxicated at school early in the morning. The school contacted her to retrieve her child, and she found him in a pitiable state, vomiting due to substance abuse. Subsequently, she discovered that not only had he consumed alcohol at school in the early hours, but he had also ingested drugs. Shockingly, these drugs were not in conventional forms like cigarettes but were incorporated into cakes and biscuits using flour. How can the school effectively monitor such unconventional methods of drug consumption?
However, what struck me the most was the mother attributing blame solely to the school, contending that she had raised her son according to the highest Ethiopian standards.
Now, let me pose a question: Can we genuinely absolve the parents of all responsibility in such scenarios? Shouldn’t parents bear at least a portion of the accountability?
Nurturing our children has become a daunting endeavor, both in Ethiopia and overseas. While the internet and globalization may have contributed to these challenges, it is undeniable that parents bear a significant share of the responsibility. Hence, taking a moment to pause and reflect on where we may have faltered should be a crucial item on our agenda.