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Originally Posted by Puffguts I think the notion that parents put too much pressure on the child is incorrect. Most pressures are from the children themselves, who would feel guilty for letting down the family if expectations are not met. Parents give out expectations, and the children feel like it is their duty to fulfill them. |
Children in these situations are taught since they are toddlers to respect their elders, and that honor is everything. Family honor is extremely important to most traditional asian families, and this value is passed down to their children. So if the child fails in their academic mission, then they are dishonoring the family. In the samurai tradition dishonor = death. Even though it isn't that severe anymore, the importance of honor is still there. If there was no pressure from the parents to begin with, then the child would not feel so obligated to fulfill the expectations.