What Black Parents Need to Unlearn

August 20, 2018 in Articles, Motivational - 4 min read

It is still August and we are still Unlearning here on Budding Regardless and on today’s episode I collaborated with my super cool mother on What Black Parents Need to Unlearn. If you missed out on the previous episodes of this series you can check them out whenever you get a chance – Episode 1 and Episode 2.

Why did I decide to tackle things specifically ‘black’ parents need to unlearn? Mainly because it is black parents who struggle a lot with letting the past go and letting their children be themselves completely. Black parents seem to find it slightly difficult to understand that their children are living in a totally different era than them and in as much as it was a mission once upon a time, I have finally gotten my mother to understand this and it as made my life so much easier and ‘free’.

I asked my mother to help me put together this post and these are the points that we came up with that other black parents should unlearn…

Criticizing what their children want to study

Normally, parents have this tendency of wanting to decide for their children what they should be studying and this hinders their children from making their own decisions and results in them living their lives based on what their parents want. A parent is reluctant to be supportive if their child says they would like to study something like Music when they had planned to take them to Medical school and they don’t seem to want to understand why their child would want to take a gap year after high school.

Certain things are for white people

Black parents have this thing of assuming that some activities or actions are purely made for white people, some even refer to depression as ‘isifo sabelungu’ (a white-people illness) and it is this kind of mentality that holds black people back from seeking help when needed. Ballet is known as a white-people activity, alongside camping, letting dogs live inside the house, introducing your partner to you parents, etc…

Expecting their children to their lives like they did 

Parents expect their children to dress like they did back in their days, meanwhile times have changed drastically from then and now – in this day and age even wearing just a shirt acceptable and in fashion. Also, black parents tend to worry about their children speaking too much English and conclude that they are completely forgetting their roots and culture.

Forcing children to believe in what they believe in

It is natural for a parent to introduce their children into their religion from a young age but as children grow up, they are exposed to a whole lot of other religions which might spark their interest. Forcing a child to commit themselves into your religion only pushes them away, instead of doing so, be understanding and make them understand that you are doing what you think is best for them.

Choosing who their children should associate themselves with

Parents can spot pretentious friends quicker than their children can and that is acceptable but encouraging them to associate themselves with children that are on their ‘level’ money-wise isn’t recommendable. Children should be able to mingle with anyone despite their background, what they have and what they don’t have.

Not being open to their children

Children have been finding it so hard to speak to their parents about anything that is bothering them because they fear being judged and shouted at. This problem leads to things such as depression and even when parents notice that their child isn’t okay, they still do not ask anything about it. Being open and friendly to children helps them speak out about what they are going through or what is worrying them.

Not apologizing when they are wrong

Black parents always seem to assume that they are always right merely because they are older but that is not always the case. In some cases, parents even shout at their children when they speak up about something and refuse to hear their children out. Not apologising when they can clearly see that they are wrong breaks the bond they have with their children without them even noticing.

Not raising kids equally

Boys and girls, should share house chores. Both should be able to cook and do the garden too, children should be taught how to be completely independent from a young age. You find that when a boy grows up, he claims to be a man even if he can’t cook and what makes a girl a ‘woman’ is if she can cook – this needs to be unlearned.

Thinking that marriage is the ultimate goal

Parents tend to put a lot of unnecessary pressure on their children as they grow up and approach their late 20s by asking them when they are getting married and starting a family. It is not everyone’s goal to get married and even those who do want to get married or start a family will do so when they decide that they are ready.

20 Comments

  • Raven Black January 31, 2019 at

    Very great post. I can say that most white parents need this lesson too.
    And we can just hope that the next generations will do better 🙂

  • Taiwo January 31, 2019 at

    The instant I saw this post, I knew I had to read it! You mentioned so many amazing points. It’s sad that our parents’ generation got so many things wrong but I’m happy some of them (like your mum) are unlearning. I hope we do better

    Taiwo 💖

  • Divine January 30, 2019 at

    Reblogged this on Being Yourself.

  • Divine January 30, 2019 at

    This post is amazing I relate to every single aspect of that. I hope us the younger generation won’t make the same mistakes as our parents did. Thanks for sharing this💕

    • Mbalenhle January 31, 2019 at

      Sis, I really hope we make a change hey. Thank you for stopping by🌻

  • Deshi Nenkinan Nehemiah September 8, 2018 at

    👏👏Truth here

  • […] Welcome to the last episode of this Unlearning Month. I must say, it has been a success, I generally just enjoy hearing thoughts from other people on any topic and this month I really did a lot of thinking and rethinking. Anyway, if you missed out on all the episodes, do check them out – Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3. […]

  • Nontando Mazelem August 21, 2018 at

    I sooo relate to this post. The main reason I don’t go to church is because when I was a kid, my grandmother used to make us go to church every Saturday 😭(Shembe). She was also strict with the church rules, which included; bathing with cold water on Saturdays and eating cold food before 6pm ( so thats like the whole day) as we were not allowed to warm it up.

    My mom never apologise when she’s wrong. If she realises that she’s wrong, she’ll just make jokes that will make you laugh, hoping that you forget about everything. I don’t forget but I forgive her.

    I love this post. I should print it and leave the paper in the passage, intentionally, so that it’ll look like I dropped it by mistake . The title would be written in bold and in capital letters.

    Great post!

    • Mbalenhle August 25, 2018 at

      😄She was doing what she thought was best for yall. In some cases I think it’s only fair to excuse our parents and grandparents with the way they do things, they are finding it very hard to accept that things have changed. So you are not Shembe anymore? Hopefully gran understands 💕

      Haha. My mother normally tries to politely explain why she did what she did instead of apologizing 😄. But heyy we just don’t forget 🙆😅

      Thank you so much for stopping by🤗, l think you should ‘accidentally’ send this link to your mother 🤗

      • Nontando Mazelem September 6, 2018 at

        I’m not a Shembe anymore fam. I don’t go to any church at all. There’s one church that I love though, I forgot it’s name. It’s here in Scottsville(PMB). I’m bad with directions, I would tell you where about. Anyways I love mail because there’s *FREE* food after service and also it doesn’t take too long. It’s only an hour and I still manage to concentrate for the first 5 min.

        At least your mom tries.

        I cannot not stop by fam, your blogs are Life! Thank you♡

  • Infinite Living August 21, 2018 at

    So many parents need to learn these ..well written!

  • 🌹V.O.L August 20, 2018 at

    Yaaasss.. Broken down to the T! It’s so nice that both yourself and your mother are discussing this. In order for us as a black race to fully thrive, we really must unlearn these pre-conditions and expectations. Effortlessly written 💛

  • Caroline Agoba August 20, 2018 at

    I loved this post, and related to it so much!

    Caroline | http://caroomakeupblog.com

  • Cherylene August 20, 2018 at

    I applaud both you and your mother for coming together to raise these points. Well done. May God continue to His work in both of you. May your relationship only get stronger with each other and in Him. Have a great week.

    • Mbalenhle September 6, 2018 at

      Thank you so much!🤗 I’m actually very happy that she was able to help me because it taught me a lot too💕. Thank you for your kind wishes Cherylene 🍃

  • innervoice28 August 20, 2018 at

    Well written

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    About Me

    Hi and welcome! My name is Mbalenhle K but everyone calls me Mbali for short (say: mm-bah-lee). I am a freelance copywriter who loves all things art, experiences and aesthetics (big time Pinterest gworl 🧚🏽)! I am the founder of Budding Regardless where I talk about mindfulness, self-development and self-nurturing for creatives. Read More

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