The essence of this article will be best absorbed by Indians especially those who have watched the Bollywood blockbusters, "3 idiots".
Engineering and Medicine are the ultimate genders. Our bodies are designed to do these jobs. What's an artist anyway? That could be your part time job or hobbie, after you are done with a 10 hour hectic day and answering those two missed calls from your mean boss whose deranged about that deal you couldn't close the with investors.
Quality of life? Way to go!!
India is the country with a rich history, exquisite arts, and a colorful culture. And yet, we have a surplus of engineers and a dearth of skilled artists. According to recent statistics, India produces 1.5 million engineers annually, more than the US and China combined. And a big reason for this is Indian parents. Yes, I finally dare to say that! Every parent loves their kid. But when will they understand that their kid isn't their meddalion. Their ward's monetary success will not get them to them to the podium. But sure, their child's happiness will rest their soul in peace? But what can happiness buy?
Whenever the Bollywood story-tellers needed to define a well-educated character, an engineer or doctor was the easy way out. In a self-aware way, the Bollywood super-hit 3 Idiots even points out that in many families, girls are destined to become doctors and boys engineers. Color Expert, Flavorist, Golf Ball Diver and Music Conductor are genuine, real jobs. So every kid can memorise the name of every country in the world, but familiarise themselves with names of occupations? I blame the system.
Students aiming for careers as engineers or doctors should not waste any time and ensure a strong foundation by commencing preparations right after the Class X exams (quoted from The Times of India)
A ten grader needs to start preparing for his/her future? In America, every 10th grader is learning linear algebra and in India students learn Calculus. They still lead a better, more distinguished and not to mention prosperous life. Most of them don't even declare their majors in universities. An Indian child getting into university is celebrated like how American parents celebrate their child's marriage.
When India got its independence in 1947, India was an under-developed country and mortality was very high. Life expectancy was low in the 1950s and doctors were regarded as Gods, especially to the uneducated. And they continued to do so for a long period. It’s no surprise that at the time, any parent would hope for their child to grow up to be a doctor. Likewise, engineers were on a rise in this developing country where infrastructure was poor and the manufacturing sector needed a boost.
Approximately, it can be determined that almost 90% of students of India want to have engineering or medical as a career.
An article by NDTV states that the undergraduate programmes in the IITs center on practicing traditional science and engineering branches conventionally, even as the world turns multi-disciplinary with the onslaught of computerization, artificial intelligence (AI) and assorted digital technologies. Privileged institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS are models built around hype. Hype is basically an inflated balloon with this colossal amount of enthusiasm, but really, its hollow. Its a coconut without the tough shell. There'a void. Every kid can't do blueprints or needles. It's not everyone's cup of tea to be a doctor or engineer or to sit on a table staring at a computer for the rest of their lives.
But what will be Aunty Pinky say when she hears that my only son wants to be an chef? A boy making rotis? You know Aunty Pinky's younger son, whose a reknowned docter in London by the way (Also owns a mercedes, no flex), makes rotis with the rotimaker.
Deadend.
Mommy lost her social status. Now I have to be a engineer and buy her a rotimaker.
Social status, prestige, money, respect mean so much to us. This is what the society believes in. It's not about the rotimaker (just so that you know, never buy one, the rotis come out to be pappads no joke), it's about the ability to show off. We lose ourselves in trying to please others. And once we become a construct of the society, a societal product we replicate ourselves and our expectations on our kids. The cycle continues.
So what should we do? I'll speak from my personal experience. My mom wanted to be an engineer and my dad wants me to be doctor. They said they knew I could do it. I know that. But just because I can, doesn't mean I want to? right?
Express yourselves. Speak up. Most importantly, don't push yourselves into molding yourself into something that your not fit to be. Convince yourself, then convince your inner circle.
It's just a small revolt - rebel now or never.