Oritsemaye Oluwatukesi, Hassan Oluwatobi
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Olufunke Adeboye, has said the inclination of Nigerian parents to force their children to study science based courses is born out of their misconception of disciplines in the humanities.
Adeboye, who stated this in an interview with UNILAG SUN, noted that skills and knowledge acquired by students in the humanities help them deal with human related issues.
She explained that without the existence of humanities based disciplines, it would be difficult to maintain world peace, stressing that these disciplines are concerned with abating tensions birthed by the existence of some scientific innovations.
According to her, “…that was born out of a very big misconception because disciplines in the humanities are the things that humanize the society and some of the skills and knowledge that we acquire you can’t just begin to compare them with the sciences.
She continued, “If the society is all about sciences, there will be a lot of tension, there will be a lot of issues that we will not be able to resolve because the thread that brings out the human in us is what the disciplines in the arts educate the students on, so it is very important.
The dean noted that academics are putting in efforts to discourage parents from such actions, by counselling them on the need to allow their wards express themselves freely.
Meanwhile, Adeboye, the first female dean of the faculty, lamented the dearth of female academics during her early days in the profession. She mentioned that there were few women in the teaching profession, leading to a shortage in possible mentors.
She observed that things have however changed in recent times.
On the need to empower students with relevant skills necessary to survive after studentship, the dean said that the faculty has a committee tasked with the responsibility of assisting students with entrepreneurial skills to establish their own businesses.
Her words, “…The university has an entrepreneurship scheme for which they got some grants and they have been disbursing them to see how they can help students qualify to set up businesses
“The faculty also has a committee, the consultancy and entrepreneurship committee. And the mandate of that committee is to look for ways that we can encourage students, especially those who have readymade marketable skills to set up and see how they can stand on their own even after their graduation.
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Why should you force your ward to do what he or she doesn’t want to do? This is so bad. It has to change
Everyone should have a say on what he or she wants to study in d University
I'm really happy that this generation allows for the education of the girl child because a lot of great women have been discovered
It's detrimental for parents to force their wards into courses that they won't enjoy doing, they should just counsel and let them explore their field of interest
I believe since women started getting educated, a lot of things changed. It's quite amazing that women are now in strategic positions of power
There is freedom of expression, students shouldn't be forced but we know the parents wants the best for their children.
It is disheartening anytime I hear about issues like this….
Parents forcing their wards into courses so as to make the child live out their unfulfilled Dreams and hopes .
And there have been a high percent of cases wherein the child performs woefully because that is not where his heart is
This parents/guardians misconceptions on discipline is an outdated and not called for thinking during these modern days. they should instead channel all support for their child in whatsoever course they wanna study on their free will cause that's only way they get the best in their child,besides it's an humane approach for parents to their child.
Very true,This has to change
To me the children should be allowed to do whatever they want….. The parents are just there to guide them accordingly to what they have chosen
So heartbreaking forcing your child into becoming what he/she doesn't want to
Parents shouldn’t decide courses for their wards
Everyone has a say on what he/she wants to study in the university
Parents/guardians are not meant to force a particular course on their child because the side effect doesn't end on a favourable note…..
This really has to change,this is highly preposterously outlandish.you don't have to impose a choice to your child/ward.
Well I believe that if science is life then humanity is living, if science is water then humanity is drinking ,if science is food then humanity is eating, if science is medicine then humanity is healing. Humanity expresses, beautifies and politely interprets science.
I think this mentality that only people in the sciences excels the most has to change because it has hindered a lot of people from maximizing their potentials to the fullest, due to being forced to read courses that is not of their best interest. Also, it is said that educating the female child, is educating a nation. This helps understand that not only the male child needs education, the female child also needs it.
I totally agree.
Parents should not impose courses on their wards based on some societal misconceptions. Students should be given the free will to choose whatever course they wish to study without some form of parental influence.
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Course to study are not to be imposed on children by their parents that should be a personal decison, because the child knows his/her ability in the aspect of learning
Parents should only teach their wards the right thing with no form of force whatsoever..
The child should also be left to make his own decisions based on his potentials
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This whole thinking perspective has to be changed
Students/ward should be given the opportunity to actually choose what he/she wants because we can never tell the hidden potentials he/she is about to unleah
Parents should listen more rather than doing the talking all the time
Parents shouldn't dictate what their ward should study
Parents should not force their will on the their children, but should guide them on what choice the children should make
This has to change because the end of it will be disastrous
Everyone should be the captain of his or her ship
Very True, this has to change!
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In Kahlil Gibran's book ''The Prophet", he wrote
''Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies, but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday."
This should be read by all!
It doesn't matter whether you are a lawyer or doctor, engineer or journalist. What is important is that you do what you have your heart in. Parents should only guide their children and not choose for them.
A child has a power potential, the need of parents is to know how to help such child to manifest his potential not to dictate on his personal life therefore the mentality of choosing for one's child should be erased and parents should now leave their ward on whatever he/she wants to become, the only thing for them is to guide him to the right path
Students should be able to study their desired courses in the University and pursue their various dreams!!
Parents should allow their wards to study their desired courses and assisting with entrepreneurial skills for students to establish businesses is a great idea.
Parents should allow their children make their career choices