A child’s education is greatly influenced by the interaction between their parents and children. The impact of parental influence on education is evident in the literary works “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, and “Indian Education” by Sherman Alexie (Tan 7-8; Kincaid 302-347; Alexie). Every story examines the intricacies of language, culture, and social expectations, offering a prism to examine parents’ vital role in their children’s education.
Language as a Cultural Bridge
The idea of maternal influence in molding identity is a common thread connecting Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” and Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” as they explore the complex relationship between language and culture. Tan sheds light on the significant influence of her mother’s nonstandard English, highlighting its richness and clarity as a powerful force beyond accepted grammatical norms with her statement, “I wanted to capture what language ability tests can never reveal: her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of her thoughts” (8). This interaction emphasizes that language is a cultural bridge that shapes one’s perspective and is a practical communication tool. In “Girl,” Kincaid uses a sequence of motherly directives to reveal the complex web of cultural norms and values passed down through the ages (Kincaid 302-347). The mother offers advice on various life topics, demonstrating how language is a medium for transmitting and preserving cultural history.
Through its examination of Native American students’ challenges navigating their traditional history within the parameters of mainstream schools, Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” adds even more richness to this narrative tapestry. The protagonist’s progression through the grades provides a moving metaphor for the more immense struggles experienced by people torn between their cultural identity and educational goals (Alexie). The inferred influence of parental guidance, though not explicitly mentioned, highlights the difficulties in balancing cultural traditions with the requirements of the educational system. These stories create a powerful tapestry emphasizing how language, parental guidance, and cultural identity influence people’s life paths.
The Relevance of Cultural Expectations
Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue,” Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” and Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” all demonstrate how societal expectations have a pervasive impact on people’s educational paths. Tan’s statement, “the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her,” (7) effectively illustrates the prejudices embedded in society that arise in day-to-day interactions by sharing her mother’s struggles with discrimination due to her poor command of English (Tan 7-8). Kincaid’s “Girl” effectively highlights the burden that social standards place on women, with the mother giving rigid instructions that correspond with responsibilities imposed by society, as seen by her statements, “This is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down, and so to prevent yourself from looking like the slut I know you are so bent on becoming; this is how to iron your father’s khaki shirt so that it does not have a crease; this is how you sweep a corner; this is how you sweep a yard; this is how you sweep a whole house,”(Kincaid 302-347). The story demonstrates how outside factors impact a child’s educational route and highlights the tremendous pressure to adhere to social norms. The book “Indian Education” by Alexie explores the difficulties that Native American kids encounter in the classroom and highlights more considerable prejudices in society (Alexie). The main character struggles with competing expectations and is divided between upholding their cultural identity and adhering to societal norms; this is highlighted by the fact that he feels a sense of freedom after kissing the white girl. His statement, “But on the day I leaned through the basement window of the HUD house and kissed the white girl, I felt the goodbyes I was saying to my entire tribe” (par 45), shows how his cultural identity influenced his life. When taken as a whole, these stories show the complex interactions between linguistic ability, gender roles, and cultural identity and provoke thought on the enormous influence that cultural expectations have on educational experiences (Tan 7-8; Kincaid 302-347; Alexie). The stories collectively emphasize individuals’ challenges in navigating societal pressures and parents’ crucial role in helping their children navigate these expectations while preserving their unique identities.
The Significance of Parental Involvement
Amy Tan’s work “Mother Tongue” delves into the complex relationship between a mother’s language skills and a child’s growth, providing insight into the importance of family in education. Tan’s mother spoke English with restrictions, but the story emphasizes how much her influence shaped Tan’s career as a writer and how unusual language skills may affect a person’s love of expression (Tan 7-8). Likewise, in Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” the mother’s direct instruction significantly shapes the daughter’s behavior, abilities, and cultural awareness (Kincaid 302-347). The story makes one consider how parental participation shapes a child’s educational path. The difficulties the protagonist in Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” faces in a system of education that cannot accept his cultural heritage suggest the possible importance of parental guidance (Alexie). The story subtly implies that Native American students’ difficulties bridging their identities with traditional education are a result of the lack of such advice. These stories highlight how parents shape their kids’ educational journeys via language, proactive parental guidance, or the vital assistance required to overcome cultural barriers in the classroom.
Thoughts on the Influence of Parents
The evaluation of how parents affect their children’s education in “Mother Tongue,” “Girl,” and “Indian Education” goes beyond the confines of these particular literary works and has wider social implications. These stories’ complex relationship between language, cultural norms, and parental involvement illustrates a universal theme that transcends fiction. Numerous people have to navigate the challenges of complicated educational pathways influenced by their cultural backgrounds, family dynamics, and societal pressures in the real world. The narratives arouse empathy for the struggles people face who attempt to maintain their cultural identity while satisfying the requirements of mainstream education. The anecdotes remind us that parental impact on a child’s education is a complex phenomenon involving parental supervision, language development, and navigating social conventions (Tan 7-8; Kincaid 302-347; Alexie). Readers may identify similarities between these stories and their own experiences as they consider them, which will help them better appreciate the significant influence parents have on their children’s educational paths. Through the lens of the stories, readers may better understand the wider effects of parental involvement in school, and they can spark discussions about how to foster individuality within the educational system by providing supportive environments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Mother Tongue,” “Girl,” and “Indian Education” offer perceptive viewpoints on the intricate relationship that exists between parents and their children’s education. Language, cultural norms, and family participation significantly shape the protagonists’ educational experiences. Acknowledging the complex role parents play in their kids’ education highlights how important it is to create an atmosphere that is both supportive and enriching outside of the traditional classroom. Ultimately, the stories make one consider the long-lasting effects of parental guidance on a child’s academic path.
Works Cited
Alexie, Sherman. “Indian Education.”
Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.” Literature and Gender. Routledge, 2013. 302-347.
Tan, Amy. “Mother tongue.” The Threepenny Review 43.7 1990: 7–8.
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