OP ED | EDITORIAL: The Straits Times says- Educating the next generation
The Straits Times says
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s acknowledgement that many Singapore parents today are highly educated and more involved in their children’s lives than ever, signifies the importance of the home as a place of personal growth and learning that complements the traditional role of schools. However, as he noted in an interview with this newspaper at the end of December, parents need to find the delicate balance between being overly controlling and being completely hands-off. His hope is that parents can work together with teachers to give children the space to grow and the chance to be independent.
The problem with finding that balance is not limited to Singapore. A 2022 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an American philanthropic institution dedicated to the welfare of children and young people, found that parental involvement transcends socio-economic status, student background or the kind of school a student attends in producing academically successful children. However, the study also noted the phenomenon of “helicopter parents” whose “hovering” involvement over their children does more harm than good. Over-involved, overprotective and controlling parents who “bubble-wrap” their children impede the young ones’ coping skills and capacity for problem-solving; indeed, over-involvement can actually increase children’s anxiety and reduce self-esteem.
READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/educating-a-new-generation-of-singaporeans
