By XN Iraki
Economists are quick to name drought, exchange rates, terrorism and other internal and external shocks as the major threats to economic growth. They often forget the soft issues whose effects are not that spectacular but are very costly to the economy in the long run.
One often neglected threat to our economy is ‘refusal’ by the younger generation to take responsibility. Maybe they have not refused; the parents have not allowed or forced them to.
How often do I see parents coming to University to apply for admission on behalf of their children? Some parents even come to check for their exam results. More curiously is the number of parents who have invited me for their children’s weddings. Why can’t the children some over thirty years old take responsibility of inviting me?
It seems that modern parents have an ingrained fear to let their children learn to swim from the deep end. For this, some children never learn how to swim. Why are modern parents so protective of their children behaving more like nannies?
It may have to do with their backgrounds. After growing in hardships, walking to school, skipping lunch and being forced to mature early, some parents may have decided it was unfair and their children should not go through such experiences. Yet such experiences made them what they are today.
Devolved nannism
It may also have to do with the environment, which has become hostile. Children in the past used to go to school by themselves, it was safe. Today cases of abduction and other evils have left parents scared. But my concern is not over primary school children but adults aged over 18 as defined legally.
Parents given a chance rant over their children’ lack of seriousness with life. Other cases are more bizarre. Some parents have asked for help because their children got an A in KCSE but cannot decide what to pursue in the University or life.
Some pundits blame schooling particularly tuition, which has made children believe they are not supposed to do anything. Never left on their own, children never learn to take responsibility. At home there is a house help who ensures food is cooked, and other household chores are done.
I was surprised to see parents going to clear with schools after KCSE on behalf of their children. Many parents are bringing up their grandchildren.
Nannism is already devolved to rural areas. The media is not scot free; it rarely glorifies ‘hard work.’ It is no wonder many children want to be actors, musicians and models.
Rarely are hard thinkers like scientists and engineers given airtime. They are seen as boring. The nature of parenting is that parents are reluctant to let go, even when children mature. But taking care of the children too much can be counterproductive.
Let us be bold; this is not a parental or family issue it’s an economic issue. Employers are also worried about new employees who are not focused and cannot be relied on.
They argue that getting qualified employees is not the problem; it is getting people with right attitudes towards work, ‘denannified’ employees. The rise of East Asian economies has a lot to do with work ethics. If you ever work with East Asians from Japanese to Chinese you will see the positive side of work ethics.
How long would Thika Road have taken with local contractors? What is interesting is that we do not protect our children from saber-toothed tiger, but from the society, the same one he or she will depend on for jobs, support and so on. It may be that our failure to understand that we are part of the bigger society is leading to nanny state, where no one wants to work.
We see nannism even at higher levels of the economy, with corruption cases; reaping from where you never sowed considered as heroism-but misplaced. Some argue nannism should not worry us, it’s a logical outcome of technology which we have enslaved...
Where do we go from here? Kenya’s Vision 2030 will be achieved by us and through us. But we could achieve it faster if the next generation sees work as godly. Industrialist Manu Chandaria puts more simply. “We must stop seeing everything as “me and myself”, we must think of us.” He explained that as the secret behind Asian family businesses. Children are reminded much early in life about personal responsibility while also being imbibed with the right kind of education.
Lack of work
Are there any Asians in history classes? It is not all about education, which to some extent “devalue work” by emphasizing white color jobs with everyone dreaming of becoming a manager or CEO or an MP.
In such positions, you just give “orders “ and work is done. By who?
The tragedy of bringing up children who dislike work is that we interfere with the most important cog in economic growth, our attitudes. Work gives us meaning and purpose in life. If we stopped working the economy would die. We often wrongly think of economics in terms of huge factories and highways, forgetting they are build for the people, by the people.
It is no wonder drug abuse is more common among the lower and upper economic classes; both afflicted by lack of work. We must refocus on parenting, the late Starehe Boys Centre director, once told parents to take parenting as seriously as their professions.
Bringing up the next generation is more than just taking them to school and feeding them. Influencing is more important. The truth is that your influence is at time drowned by media and peers.
