When people ask me “How many kids do you have?” I proudly tell them that “I have two little boys.” When they hear me saying two boys, they usually end up saying, “Oh dear!”
Some have even told me directly that girls are very good and those who have girls are quite lucky.
I’m wondering why the situation has changed and what makes everyone think that girls are better than boys now. Once upon a time, a boy was the first choice of every parent and when a baby girl was born, she was considered a heavy burden for the parents. Today, most parents pray hard to get at least one baby girl.
Is it because girls are becoming more responsible than boys? Is it because girls are less problematic? Is it because girls are considered good at taking care of their parents?
Well, what they think is right as most of girls are more successful than boys; but has anyone stopped to ask why boys are not helpful and start to create more problems at a young age and end up as failures in their life?
The blame should go to the parents, the environment and the people around them. When it is a boy, we treat them as a “boy” - he shouldn’t do any housework and shouldn't help his mother in the kitchen. It is even considered normal if he loiters around with his friends till late at night. If all the rules are meant for the girls and it is a must that the girls should follow the rules to be good girls, then why shouldn't boys adhere to the same rules?
I guess there is no harm in training our little boys to help us to change their younger sibling's diaper; no harm if he helps his mother in the kitchen; and no harm if he shares the house chores with his sister.
Whether you have a girl or boy, there should be boundaries which cause the children to think 100 times before crossing them. Parents need to be creative enough to understand their kids. Talk to your boys and correct them if they are wrong. Make them realise their responsibilities.
Every child is a gift from God and either boy or girl we should receive them with open hearts and with fewer expectations.
It’s not easy to raise girls and boys in this world. Girls or boys – both need to be protected and we as parents need to guide them throughout their lives. The parents who fail to guide their boys must not discriminate and discourage those parents who have only sons.
Menambigai Kurupatham
Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.
