I think that as parents we tend to be too lenient and too understanding on some of the unbecoming behaviour from our children.
I once saw a child back chatting his mother and the response was "uyabazi wethu banjani aba batwana bezizikolo" (you know how the children from these multicultural schools are).
This made me question whether we think that taking a child to a multicultural school means letting go of some of the fundamental values that a family has and accepting and allowing less discipline.
Having been to a multicultural school myself I have seen the response of elders commenting that "children from these schools are rude and think they are better". I have been hit with "ungandiphatheli izinto zezizikolo endlini yam" (don’t bring multicultural school behaviour into my house) from my mother.
A parent’s experience
I spoke to Lulu, a mother who has a child in a multicultural school, and she admits that her kids often have their own way. Her daughter often argues with her but in Lulu’s day that would never happened.
Lulu also mentions that she never thought that her daughter would be driving herself to school. Lulu thinks we’re becoming lax as parents and that our children don’t relate to elders. "For instance when my daughter visits my mother in the rural areas, she says 'Hello, Granny' but doesn’t think to shake hands as it would be expected when greeting an elderly person." she comments.
Another friend says that her younger brother (who also attends a multicultural school) back chats, talks about bringing his girlfriend over, throws tantrums and is very much aware of his rights as a child.
Thandi, a mother of 4, feels that parents tend to be more understanding of kids attending multicultural schools. If that is the case then I think we have a serious problem we need to deal with.
Of course this does not apply to each and every family but it happens. Sending your child to a multicultural school should not mean less discipline. Parents still need to be in control.
Read more by Masanda Peter
Do you think Masanda is right? Are children who attend multicultural schools less disciplined?
Disclaimer: The views of columnists published on Parent24 are their own and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Parent24.
I once saw a child back chatting his mother and the response was "uyabazi wethu banjani aba batwana bezizikolo" (you know how the children from these multicultural schools are).
This made me question whether we think that taking a child to a multicultural school means letting go of some of the fundamental values that a family has and accepting and allowing less discipline.
Having been to a multicultural school myself I have seen the response of elders commenting that "children from these schools are rude and think they are better". I have been hit with "ungandiphatheli izinto zezizikolo endlini yam" (don’t bring multicultural school behaviour into my house) from my mother.
A parent’s experience
I spoke to Lulu, a mother who has a child in a multicultural school, and she admits that her kids often have their own way. Her daughter often argues with her but in Lulu’s day that would never happened.
Lulu also mentions that she never thought that her daughter would be driving herself to school. Lulu thinks we’re becoming lax as parents and that our children don’t relate to elders. "For instance when my daughter visits my mother in the rural areas, she says 'Hello, Granny' but doesn’t think to shake hands as it would be expected when greeting an elderly person." she comments.
Another friend says that her younger brother (who also attends a multicultural school) back chats, talks about bringing his girlfriend over, throws tantrums and is very much aware of his rights as a child.
Thandi, a mother of 4, feels that parents tend to be more understanding of kids attending multicultural schools. If that is the case then I think we have a serious problem we need to deal with.
Of course this does not apply to each and every family but it happens. Sending your child to a multicultural school should not mean less discipline. Parents still need to be in control.
Read more by Masanda Peter
Do you think Masanda is right? Are children who attend multicultural schools less disciplined?
Disclaimer: The views of columnists published on Parent24 are their own and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Parent24.
