Growing up in Nigeria, I noticed something that seemed to be a common belief among parents. They believed that only courses like medicine, engineering, law, banking, and finance were the right paths for their children. These were the only choices on the menu, and anything else was just unacceptable. This way of thinking puts a lot of pressure on us, the kids.
But you see, there’s a bigger issue here. Society seemed to agree with these parents. Courses like zoology, theatre art, social work, and many others were often looked down upon. If you wanted to study something outside of the “big four,” you were considered rebellious or even a troublemaker. Some of us gave in to the pressure, choosing careers we had no interest in, and it didn’t end well. These forced choices often led to chaos and dissatisfaction.
For me, things were no different. I always knew I wanted to study theatre arts. But boy, did that decision come with a lot of backlash! People around me, even my parents, thought I should be in the sciences. They saw me fixing phones, laptops, and TVs, and thought science was my path. But I stood my ground. I didn’t want to be in a lab; I wanted to be on stage. It wasn’t easy, especially in senior secondary when they wanted me to go the science route. But I held onto my dream of studying theatre arts.
I remember taking the JAMB exam three times. The first two times, I chose law because people said it was a “respectable” career. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t me. Finally, on the third try, I picked theatre arts. And guess what? I’m now in my final year, on the brink of achieving what I’ve always wanted.
Here’s the thing parents need to understand: you can’t choose your child’s career for them. Especially for careers like medicine, can you imagine your life in the hands of a doctor who secretly wants to be a musician? I get it, parents worry about our future. But here’s the deal, when we follow our hearts and passions, we’re more likely to succeed.
Imagine a Nigeria where parents didn’t force their kids into careers they don’t want. A Nigeria where everyone studied what they loved. Our country would be a canvas painted with diverse colors and talents. It’s time for parents to realize that their worries, although well-meaning, shouldn’t dictate our paths.
So, to all the parents out there, take a step back. Let us, your kids, choose our own careers. Trust that we know what makes us tick. It’s a big world out there, and we’re ready to face it, armed with the subjects we’re passionate about.
In the end, the moral of the story is simple: parents, support us in pursuing what we love. Don’t force us into careers that don’t fit. We’ll thank you for it, and our country will be better for it.
