Doomed in the Womb

I recently read a news article about how a mother was deemed "too late" when she applied to a kindergarten for her child. The catch is, her child was only seven month old, in her womb.

My first reaction was, 'what kind of crazy world is this?!'

My next reaction was, 'why am I even surprised.'

It's Hong Kong, this sort of unhealthy competitivity has only gone worse over the years. The kid's, sorry, feteus' mother was actually applying for a playgroup that is connected to a renowned kindergarten, which presumably would pave way for getting into good a elementary school, college then university, and finally, a well-paid job and success.

Raising a child nowadays is like the arm race during Cold War: If that kid next door can speak German, my child has to learn German too. If that kid next door goes to Math tutorial groups, then my child better spend twice the time studying Mathematics. If the average thickness of a portfolio for applying to an elementary school is 1 inch, then by God I'll make it 3.

Children now learn three languages at the age of 3, have to be deemed smart enough before getting into a kindergarten, have closely packed timetables, spend more time in extra tutorial classes then at home, and have to face multiple public exams at the age of 16. It almost sound insane how much the society demand from a mere child, and the parents too. If you can't beat em', join em', dive into it like eveyone else. It's the only way not to get left behind.

Is it really necessary to have this kind of fierce competition in a developed society like this? With the resources at hand, there could be ways to make things better. Of course, no time for questions like these. 

The starting gun has been struck before you even grew functional legs. Now run, or you are doomed in the womb.

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