Parenting IS Necessary!

Years ago, when I was a student in China, I observed a lot about Chinese culture.  My new friends and academic peers were shy, driven, curious, compassionate, and authentic.  But lately, I have been witnessing a cultural transformation among Chinese transplants in the US.  They are becoming more...American, for lack of a better description.  In some ways this is good, but let's face it, the stereotypical Chinese student outperforms the stereotypical American student -- that is before the Chinese student starts to join the crowd. 

Chinese parents are sending their children over to private high schools in droves; the average age of the independent student is declining at a jaw-dropping rate.   How can parents just drop their kids off here at such a young age, most American-heritage parents wonder.  The answer is usually the same -- for the chance to have greater academic and long-term career opportunities.  It truly is a competitive world in the realm of Asian education. But in doing so, is the face of Chinese culture changing from a once shy, curiosity, to a bold, dangerously free teenager?  Americans usually look upon Chinese students' ability to remain focused and driven with envy, but this drive seems to be vanishing altogether in the younger students, and is replaced by a parent-less American-esque teenager.  Need I say more?

I'm sure that no matter what culture kids come from, they need the guidance and direction of responsible parents, and I don't mean virtually.
Think about this:  if you were to send your child off to another world right before or during puberty, who would be there to explain life changes to them?  Who teaches young men how to shave?  Young international students are no longer being parented in the traditional sense. They are virtually parented, proxy parented, and teacher parented.  This happens more often than one might think, and the results can be disappointing.

The solution?  Dedicated host families who care about our international visitors, and want to help fulfill parents roles that these students are sorely missing.  Families that know how to step in and explain life changes, social expectations, and proper behavior, are greatly needed. These kids are going to come here regardless. Won't you help make sure that they are parented?
Find out how to become a Host Family today, by emailing us at:  homestay@everydayinteraction.com

and visit our website:  www.everdayinteraction.com