𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 ‘𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝’

As parents, we often wish for our children to carve out their unique paths, to be independent thinkers not swayed by the actions and choices of others. This desire for independence can manifest in various ways, such as encouraging our children to pursue careers or educational streams that are not commonly chosen by their peers. But how do we navigate this delicate balance between encouraging uniqueness and understanding the influence of societal trends?

Parental Desire for Independence

A common sentiment among parents is the hope that their children will stand out, making choices that reflect their individuality. “I want my son to take up a course or profession that others are not. I want him to be an independent thinker, not be influenced by what others do,” says one such parent. This desire stems from the belief that true success and fulfillment come from following one’s unique path.

Strategy for a Unique Path

To achieve this, parents often encourage their children to pick educational or career paths less traveled. The idea is simple: by avoiding the mainstream, their children will have the opportunity to explore new areas, potentially finding greater success and personal satisfaction. “Yes. I want him to follow the road less traveled and not be influenced by what others are doing,” the parent asserts.

Influence of Observation

However, to identify which paths are less traveled, the child must first observe what paths others are taking. This observation inherently involves being influenced by others. “But how will he know which is the path less traveled unless he observes what path others are taking?” asks the parent. The realization here is that in trying to be different, one must still pay attention to the majority, thus being influenced by them to some extent.

Paradox of Independence

This brings us to a crucial paradox: the decision to take a less traveled path is still influenced by what others are doing. There is only an illusion of independence when choosing the path less traveled. “You think your decision is not dependent on others, but it is when you look under the hood,” explains the parent. If everyone is going right, choosing to go left is still a reaction to the crowd’s movement.

True Independence Defined

True independence, then, is not about intentionally doing the opposite of what others are doing. Instead, it is about making decisions based on personal desires and values, irrespective of the actions of others. A real independent decision would be to choose your path—whether it’s to the right or left—without considering what everyone else is doing. “A real independent decision would be to do what you want to do, go right or left without thinking about what others are doing.”

In conclusion, while the aspiration for our children to be independent thinkers is noble, it is essential to recognize the subtle influences that shape their choices. True independence lies in understanding these influences and making decisions that are genuinely reflective of one’s desires and values, not merely a reaction to the crowd. By fostering this mindset, we can help our children navigate their paths with confidence and authenticity