Do Parents stereotype a musical career?
- MOUSIKI erastí
- Oct 17, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 18, 2019
Music industry is one mystery that is not easy to unravel. This is one of the reasons why parents do not support their children to pursue the music dream.
Image by iQiYi/pit
Some of you may know this Malaysian singer, You Zhang Jing was one of the official band members of Nine Percent along with eight other contestants.
He joined China’s boy group survival reality show Idol Producer 2018. When he won the competition, he appreciated his parents on the stage: “Thanks to my family who always supporting me to make my dream come true. Without their support, I won’t be here.”
He was mentioned in the reality show that this music dream is not supported by most of the parents. He is grateful to his family who always supporting his dream.
What he was saying is a reality in this society. Not many parents like him support their children to pursue their music dream.
Photo taken by ( https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3521373/Far-right-Christian-ranted-Katy-Perry-s-father-satanic-daughter-screams-Easter-Bunny.html )
You might not know that American pop star Katy Perry was raised as an evangelical Christian based on her music. As the daughter of two pastors, she was strictly following the religious rules that prohibited coed dances, parties and many pop culture staples. Katy has a passion for songwriting and musical performance, but her faith-based album tanked. After re-image her music style, she released her breakout album “I kiss a girl”. It raises the conflict between her family. Until now, her parents still disapprove of Katy’s regardless of how successful she’s been.
Similar to me, when I was six years old, I told my mom that I wish to be an artist like Micheal Jackson, my mom was angry and scolded me: “Are you crazy? Artist is like a prostitute. Forget this dream! Don’t waste your time of dreaming, please focus on your study!”
After that, I choose to shut down this music dream and continue to become what my mom wish I want to be.
I have spoken to my relatives and neighbors aunts and uncle about their perspectives on how education is tied to a career. All of them believed that their children will not have a future if they choose to major in music because this is an unrealistic dream.
They highlight what they see as guarantee jobs and studies more than the entertainment industry as they believe what you love may not ensure your meals. In their opinion, children should target high grades to get into law school, business school or medical school. These jobs are defined as “professional” in their eyes. They think it would provide a stable income and a higher reputation in society, and for them, that is more important than where their children’s passion lies.
However, It is hard to say parents should give their children to choose what to do in their lives, this is because they love their children and they don’t want to see them take a risk in this entertainment field.
If their children become a successful singer might be a good return to them, but they are still worrying about their children’s life. When they become famous, they are living in the public’s eyes. Their movement and freedom will be captured by the paparazzi, fans or public.
Instead of allowing their children living in public eyes, they would like them to live in normal life.
But, everyone has their own career decision and it should be an equal amount of respect from people and society because each career requires years of training and effort. As a parent, they need to listen to what their children really want to be.
We as young adults should not argue with our parents as well. Besides blindly following their thoughts and opinions, we can show something that makes our dream come true. If we are really passionate about music, then we must be working hard to show our dream will become a reality.
Take Zhang Jing as an example, he used to be a student who studied in Chinese High School in Batu Pahat, Johor, because of his hardworking, he keeps joining the singing competition to improve himself and find the breakthrough in his life.
Therefore, without our hardworking and persistent, our dream will not be recognized by parents at all.
Do you have a dream that not supported by your parents? If so, please share your story or thoughts in the comments.
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