I had taught a very similar lesson in my Junior High Year 7/一年生 classes, and the differences between their dreams were stark.
The most popular dreams for the Year 5 girls and boys respectively were to become a novelist, trimmer" (cutting dogs' hair), chef, baker, "nursery school teacher" (teacher of infants), fashion designer; lawyer, worker in a Government role, soccer or baseball player.
Dreams even ranged so far as a baton twirler, zoo keeper, beurocrat in the Ministry of Finance.
But, in Year 7, it was as if someone had sapped all these hopes and dreams out of the children. Their dreams were pretty much contained to a kindergarten teacher and "salary man" (an everyday office worker) respectively for the boys and girls.
Yes, they are different kids, and they may very well want to become those professions, but is it not a notable trend when a variety of aspirations are basically reduced to two in around two years?
Food for thought, eh?
And how do Japanese and Australian kids' dreams compare? My teacher told me she read most Australian kids dream of being famous. I could believe that. Interestingly, out of the 160 odd year 5 students and 200 odd year 7 Japanese students I taught, not one put "I want famous/ a singer/ an actor/ a model".
Luckily for me, I've always wanted to be a teacher. Ever since I loved my Kindergarten teacher, Miss Smith (in that very innocent way only a 5 year old could) and wanted to be exactly like her.
But, there were moments where I swayed growing up, and, like most kids, I did have secret dreams to be a singer or actress. I'd even practice my autograph! And, then there was my dream to become one of the ladies who pushes the carts around in Yum Cha/dim sum restaurants, until my Mum upsetingly told me I'd need to learn how to speak Cantonese. Oh, that was a bubble burst I tell you!
So, awesome people who read my blog- what did you want to become when you were a wee child? How is that dream different from what you're doing now, and where you want to be?
Here are some photos of the drawings I got my Year 5 kids:
Why are all Japanese children good at drawing!? Where is the fairness in that?!
ReplyDeleteHey Elle! Thanks for the comment!
DeleteHahha, yeah, they are pretty good at drawing. I'm always so intrigued how Japanese people's concept of how a face/body/object is so different to what we perceive and subsequently represent. I guess growing up in a culture with manga such a popular part influences how they draw!