????A boy is born, and both of his parents were Harvard graduates. In fact, they are graduates of Harvard medical school, and are practicing physicians. Should the parents expect their son to get into Harvard? Better yet, let’s say the kid wants to pursue a career in law. Yet, given his talent, he may become a very gifted doctor and save millions. Is it moral, then, for his parents to force him into a career in medicine?

????In the Republic, Plato argues the boy should pursue his parents’ career for maintaining societal stability. Either through lies or discipline, the boy must be influenced to believe that adopting his parents’ trade is the best career choice. Such is the only method to align one’s desired job with their pursuit, which grants happiness that would perpetuate through out the republic. Stagnation may take over such a state, but at least the flux which has brought so much suffering would be stopped permanently.

????However, that notion was rejected by 19th century philosopher John Stuart Mill, who found the purpose of education is to unleash the full potential of a person. And by doing so, a person’s contribution to society can be maximized, benefitting everyone. Plato’s ideal world is problematic not because it lacks happiness, but rather, it neglects the social good. Such is the reasoning behind having multiple departments in an university. The diverse academic environment can help students realize where their full potential lie.

????Now, let’s keep that idea of reaching full potential in our head, and look at the dynamics of education around us. There is something very wrong about it, isn’t it? We witness parents’ verbal abuse of their children almost daily on academic matters. News of starving one’s children for underperforming academically spawn regularly. Beating becomes a regular occurrence and teenage suicides are as tragical as they are frequent.

????Institutionally, it’s understandable that some of Mill’s ideology cannot materialize at the K12 level due to limitation in resources. Yet, schools are working hard to provide multiple subjects for the students to explore their potential. While it isn’t much, they’re doing their best.

????What’s wrong is with the mentality of parents. While discipling one’s children is as old as time, punishment for academic underachievement is very recent. Historically, punishing academic underachievers happen only in either imperial families or children of top officials. At the grassroots level, these punishments were exception occurrence recorded only once every century. Systematic punishments for underperforming academically appear in the late 20th century. In less than 40 years, all parents care about boil down to numbers and letters on pieces of paper.

????Some have argued that parents are acting to their children’s interest. Better grades would mean better job prospects in the future. Other than exceptional cases, there is no doubt the parents love their children but that doesn’t excuse their actions. In combat, mass casualties happen not because the commanders wish that upon their troops but due to inexperience and bad luck. Care doesn’t equal wisdom. What parents do out of care, while noble, may not be the best solution.

????Yes, modern public education offers a chance for anyone to become a scholar if they commit themselves to do so, but it’s limited in its scope. Rather than doubling down on grades, parents should help their children explore their potential by either familiarizing them with the workplace or provide materials about different professions.

????That is not to say parents should completely disregard their children’s academic performance. Grades are useful tools to assess a child’s mental state. If something is bothering the child, the?consequent loss of focus will show up in grades, giving parents time to react. However, it’s important not to zero in on standardized grade. The child maybe good at something else like cooking or even construction work, but those traits were never explored. Yes, these may not be high end jobs, but they are constantly in demand. And if those jobs bring the children joy, it’s perhaps necessary for the parents to put their ego aside.

????We live in a post-platonic world where the Renaissance has re-examine classical philosophy. In the Republic, Plato admits that his ideal state exists only in the form of ideas, and it’s almost impossible to achieve. As for parents today, it’s probably time to reflect on the ideal state you constructed for you children in your head. Help them discover their true potential, even if that potential isn’t something you like. You can do it, I believe in you. After all, what matters more that the happiness of your child?

????When I decided to pursue law instead of medicine, it daunted on me that I would abandon a family trade. Yet, that fear was alleviated when my parents gave me a warm embrace. Rather than scolding me for not pursuing a seemingly determined path, they were impressed by the level self-reflection and decision making of that 7-year-old me. Spoilers, they never read Plato or Mill, but I think the dying regrets of many patients gave them that revelation long ago.?