Academic Results Vs Character Moulding

This topic has been debated for many times in forums and with friends and relatives.

Many parents nowadays focus more on their children's academic than in other areas. Some may deny that they do concern about other areas such as character and attitude as well but from what we have gauge, seems like academic results still surpasses all else. I have seen many parents who will get angry and concerned when their children did not fare very well in their tests or exams (but to me, their results are considered very good already - mostly around 89% above). You can hear them lecturing and nagging non-stop but when they misbehaves in public, I hardly see any of them lecturing their children for it! Hmm...that's really something for us to ponder on.

Of course I am not saying that results are not important at all, especially in this current society when these 'toilet papers' (paper qualification) are so important that without one decent piece, you will be less competitive in terms of salary and job position. Yes, I fully agree. And yes, I can also understand what most parents are thinking and why are they so 'kiasu' and 'kiasi'. A quote from the movie by Jack Neo, "I Not Stupid" - It's all for your own good! Haha, yes, this phrase is so often used by most parents. We always like to tell our children that it's for their own good. :)

But I personally still feel that moulding one's child character and attitude from young is more important than the academic results and that it will benefit them more in future. Just think. Without a good character, right attitude and mentality, even if the child is a genius or a scholarship holder, he may not be successful when he grows up too. Of course, I would like to stress again that academic results are as important. It is so important that for those who are illiterate, they will not be able to read these words that I have written here. It is so important that for those who use 'good, gooder, goodest' will be able to read these words of mine but may not be able to fully comprehend it's meaning while those who use 'good, better, best' are the ones who will not only able to read but comprehend as well...or, may be not too? Why? Because I belong to the group using in between the 'good, gooder, goodest' and 'good, better, best'. Thus, such simple 'theory' of mine may seem profound - not because I am too good in the language but just the opposite. Haha...

Of course I am not a professional or someone who has raised very good and successful children. Even those 'real' professionals may not be able to too (professors, doctors, counselors and psychiatrist etc). Although I may not one successful one, but I definitely am a believer and follower. I believe it so much that if one day, I do not have any other choices left, I am ready to give up my children's academic results to better character, right mentality and attitude. I am also not one who only knows how to preach and no action. I AM an action person...at least in these areas and I have proven that I will really do that. My eldest dear is one. I focus more on building up her character and attitude than her academic results. She is in the normal technical and her N level results will be out today. I do not want to force her to study when she does not have any interest at all. I've tried to instill some interest in her since young but not successful. Realised that the more you 'force' or expect, the more disappointed you'll be if the children do not meet your expectations and it may have an adverse effect on them too. I am saying these through my many years of experience and I am learning from my mistakes.

Hope those parents who are pinning very high hopes on their children (especially academically) will try to give them some space to 'breathe' and some happy childhood memories to remember when they grow up.

I'm also doing these for YOUR OWN GOOD too.... :D