I did what I could, but it was usually unenjoyable. While other kids went on vacation, I got heaps of textbooks to go through in the Summer to get ahead every year. Some Asian American children have developed a dislike for science, math, technology, and studying because it was forced upon them so harshly and was imprinted as a “chore.” They were never let be on their own to discover how these activities could be fun. Even if these child prodigies succeed, they end up with psychological issues in adulthood because of their lack of a childhood (like Mozart or Michael Jackson). Only a fraction of children are genetically talented enough to succeed in the academic playing field Asian parents want. While we can definitely do more than we think, it’s another thing entirely to burn out and traumatize your child by demanding and expecting too much constantly. Many successful people had parents that helped them believe that they could achieve anything. How many potential billionaire entrepreneurs, athletes, and world leaders were stifled away from that path? They expect too much out of their children But a larger part of me feels disappointed that many will fail to reach their potential in life because of the rigidity of these jobs. Part of me is proud that they’re all going to live well in a comfortable profession. I thought I was passionate about being a doctor but it was a lie that I had convinced myself to belief. I know deep down that there’s no way that so many of them are actually passionate about these careers. The issue is how high this percentage is. I know a eerily large percentage of Asian peers who are in or finishing up med school, law school, or vet school. These cultures do a fantastic job of creating children who work in these professions. The cliche from Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian Americans you hear is that in this culture, if you’re not a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, you’re a failure to your parents. They pressure their child into a profession that they’re not passionate about (doctor/lawyer/engineer)