How the question “What Do You Wanna Be When You Grow Up?” destroys our children
Ten innocent words can ruin a life
“What do you wanna be when you grow up?”
It’s something we’ve all heard, asked with the best intentions by well-meaning adults.
As a child, you may have answered it one or ten times. As an adult, you may have asked this to a drooling nephew or niece.
It’s a standard query and nobody really thinks better of it, but it has silently shaped the dreams of generations of children.
Let’s look into the unintended, hidden consequences of this age-old question, shall we?
The Pressure to Choose Early
From the moment a child hears the question, a subtle pressure to choose a future profession takes root.
Whether they dream of becoming an astronaut, a firefighter, or a ballerina, the implicit expectation is set — they must choose a path early on.
This premature emphasis can stifle creativity and exploration, steering children away from the diverse range of possibilities that await them.
You’re asking a kid who has a limited knowledge of the world, to choose from his severely limited set of imagined futures.
That’s why you only get “ I wanna be a doctor” or “I wanna become a teacher someday.”
You don’t get answers like “voice over artist,” “cryptozoologist,” “sommelier,” or “white hat hacker” etc.
Narrowing Horizons
As children express their initial dreams and aspirations, (and with the good-willed encouragement of adults), they may inadvertently limit their exploration of diverse interests.
They may find themselves funneling their focus into a specific field prematurely.
This can result in missed opportunities to discover latent talents, unconventional passions, or even emerging industries that align better with their evolving interests.
The pressure to conform can discourage children from pursuing less traditional or unconventional career paths. The narrowing effect becomes pronounced when certain professions are elevated as more prestigious or desirable, leading children to feel compelled to conform to these standards.
The Influence of External Expectations
The question, innocuous as it may seem, often carries the weight of external expectations.
Parents, teachers, and society at large inadvertently shape the responses by subtly favoring certain professions over others.
This can contribute to gender stereotypes, steering children towards certain careers instead of listening to their real aspirations.
The Impact on Self-Worth
As they progress through their formative years, the question evolves from a simple question into a metric for success.
This is when children get into law school to please their parents, or because fifteen years ago, they once answered “I want to become a lawyer just like daddy.”
When what they’re doing with their lives doesn’t genuinely align with their personal aspirations, it can lead not only to underperformance, but to a host of different psychological issues.
It can impact self-esteem, and relationships, and hinder what could have been a bright and colorful future.
A Call for Change
The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with new industries and professions emerging constantly.
The rigid framework inadvertently imposed by a simple question may hinder our children’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
It’s time to reassess the way we approach a child’s future. Encouraging exploration, embracing diverse interests, and fostering an environment that values personal growth can liberate future generations from the constraints of an age-old expectation.
Let’s empower children to envision a future based on their passions, talents, and the evolving landscape of opportunities.
It’s time to free our children from the unintended limitations imposed by well-meaning “US.”
Now, onto the next question: What’s your favorite food?
