10 differences between raising a child in India and the US

We bring to you the different parenting styles that parents in India and their peers in the US choose to follow

10 Differences between raising a child in India and the US: DIFFERENT PARENTING STYLES

Parenting is such a subjective affair that the way children are brought up can differ from one household to the next. Throw in the vast cultural differences that exist between India and the US and it turns into a whole new ballgame altogether.

An even trickier situation is Indian parents raising their kids in the US. So vast is the difference between raising a child in India and the US that they can often be left confused

Coax, trick or bully your child into eating his food or simply let him eat on his own? Follow the age old Indian tradition of letting the child sleep with the parents till there isn’t enough room for all three, or in a bed in a room of his own?

That’s not to say one can’t have the best of both, or at least take useful parenting ideas from a different parenting style.

For starters let’s take a look at the difference between raising a child in India and in the US. Start GALLERY

Birthing classes

Birthing classes do crop up now and then in India but they are far from being the norm. Preparing for the new baby is usually a steady stream of advice which flows in from relatives and friends.

In the US, parents attend birthing classes together to learn how to deal with labour, diapers, swaddling newborns, husbands are taught how to help the wife during delivery. In India, it’s uncommon for husbands to even be present in the delivery room.

Before the baby arrives

Soon-to-be parents in India cannot find out the sex of their unborn child due to prevailing laws that have been put in place because of a preference for male children and a skewed sex ratio.

In the US, new parents can find out the sex of their unborn child if they want and can make preparations accordingly.

The nursery

In India, it is almost unthinkable for parents to leave their baby alone in a separate room for the entire night. No way. The baby stays firmly tucked between the parents when they sleep at night. At most they may place a crib for the baby by their bedside.

American children on the other hand have a dedicated nursery that has been especially done up for them and where they are expected to sleep from birth.

Childhood injuries

American parents can get worked up about germs and infection but overall, they are alright with their children sustaining minor scrapes and bruises. Childhood is about running about, tumbling, falling down and getting cuts and scabs. Indian parents tend to get more freaked out about such injuries and will make a big fuss over their kids if they get scrapes.

Feeding habits

Ask any Indian parent about feeding time and you will invariably be met with groans. It is almost always a chore getting kids to eat. Stories are made up, songs are sung, toys and distractions are brought in and often there is scolding and cajoling all in an effort to feed the child.

Children in the US, on the other hand, are served food and left to feed themselves, however messy it turns out to be. But eventually, they do come around to actually learning how to eat by themselves.

Importance of sport

The difference between raising a child in India and in the US can be seen in the approach to sport. Everyone loves cricket in India and most boys will enjoy playing football but these are invariably restricted to play time rather as a serious sporting activity.

In the US, the approach to sport is more organised and structured. While studies and good grades get the center spot in India, sport is given a similar emphasis in the US.

Bed times

This isn’t a standard practice across all Indian households but on an average the children stay up as late as the parents whereas in the US, they generally have a fixed bed time which takes into account when the child has to wake up for school and that they sufficient number of hours sleeping.

Even then bed time usually involves a ritual or procedure like reading a bed time story. Bed time in India tends to not be so structured.

Focus on independence

Indian parents will look after even the tiniest needs of their children, often till their children are fully grown adults and have children of their own. In fact, they pride themselves in how devoted parents they are.

American parenting is focused more on making the child independent who is expected to leave the house by 18; so kids are encouraged to learn to do things for themselves as early as possible. As they grow older, they are given household chores and encouraged to earn their own pocket money during vacations.

Schedules

The Indian parenting style is more organic: There may be loose schedules which operate more like guidelines but the children will be put down for a nap if they are sleepy and not at the same fixed time daily. If the child refuses to eat, the feeding attempts will be put off till a little later.

American parents are sticklers for routine and schedules with fixed times for meals, naps and bed which will be carefully followed.

Family involvement

Raising a child in India is usually a family affair with grandparents, aunts and uncles all involved whereas in the US, it is mostly just the parents with occasionally a nanny or baby sitter thrown in if the occasion demands. The family versus the individual is a major cultural difference between the two and it comes into play in parenting as well.