Posted:
My baby wants to go to NY Film Academy. She is not sure when though. A part of her wants to become a psychiatrist and practice for about 4-5 years before moving to the Film Academy and then there's another part that wants to keep Psychiatry major and minor in Film Studies and then eventually, work in film industry. We have to hunt down schools that offer tpsychiatry + film studies combo.
It was really hard on us to finally make peace with what SHE wants. She is ultra bright in studies and, like most desi parents, we were also hoping that she will become a doctor. She was always interested in Literature, Fine Arts, Theology etc. She tried talking to us and then gave up but made it very clear that she does not want to pursue medicines but that she will think about Law or Finance. Then My hubby and I had a long talk and we decided we will be happy if she is happy so we told her to go, follow her dreams. That's when she surprised us with her Psyciatry plus film school combo. I know she will definitely do some stint in Literature and theology --- even if it is taking couple of those courses on the side. She is too much into it to just let it go so easily.We don't know what she will finally settle down for. We don't know whether she will be able to make decent enough money writing scripts or not. All we know that we are in America and that she can change her career anytime she wants to if, god forbids, she gets disillusioned with what she herself chose. That way, none of us will live with any regrets.Like I said before, it is not an easy decision to make. It keeps me up at nights sometimes. But, at the end of the day, it's her life and we have to constantly tell ourselves not to live it for her.Looks like making tricky decisions is what politics is all about. We must have played some chaalbazi in the right direction for her to keep the psychiatry option still openđ
A huge part of it, that I think not only parents, but also the children miss out on is that you can major in anything of your choice and still be pre-med/pre-law, etc. So if she does want to pursue a career in law or medicine (hypothetically), she could still major in something more geared towards the liberal arts - that way she can hold onto both things. Of course as a parent, you're absolutely right, you have to be practical and make sure she makes a career for herself along the way.
Speaking more in general terms, parents usually fail to see that the can only force the child to major in something, but they can't bring them the passion and motivation that one needs to pursue a career. I know so many people who say "oh my parents are forcing me to go to med school/dental school/pharm school/law school/etc" ... and I look at them and can't help but think a) how do you plan on getting in with that attitude and b) what makes you think that you'll be able to get out of med school alive and successful if it isn't something you really want? People act like all this is a cakewalk, a walk in the park. At the end of the day, you can take a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink.
Health and Fitness
Fan Fictions
