Russian parents - unique challenges

[peacetraveler22]

While editing photos from the last winter journey, I was reminded of a scene that plays out all over Russia in the brutal winter months. It doesn't matter where this photo was taken, because it's symbolic of almost every city I've driven through during all my visits to the country. Usually it's mothers struggling to push a stroller on unclear roads or sidewalks covered in snow, ice, and most often a combination of both. Or, they labor to carry a heavy stroller and child up or down steps in metro stations. I began to wonder whether the country in which you live matters when it comes to raising children?

I think so, for conditions everywhere aren't the same, though the motivation of any good parent around the globe is the well-being and development of their child. In the U.S., I rarely see situations like this and there are several reasons why. First, we're a lazy society, and elevators or escalators exist in almost all major shopping centers or transport hubs. Second, most people have cars, and aren't struggling to walk everywhere in bad weather conditions for basic chores or necessities in life. Outside of big cities, parking is rarely an issue, and even in big cities there are plenty of garages but you will pay a lot to park in them in places like Washington, DC (around $25/day), and in New York City the cost is even more astronomical. Finally, we're a heavily regulated society, with a lot of laws on both the Federal and State level.

What is the result of all these laws? There are personal burdens you must bear, or face some kind of consequence. In the U.S., store owners, and even home owners in certain residential areas, are required to clear sidewalks and pathways, otherwise they face fines. Similarly, local officials are under pressure from their constituents to have safe road conditions and timely plowing in the event of major storms. If they fuck up, they will be held accountable in most cases and face public outrage, or the loss of their position in the next election cycle. Yes, many Americans are whiners, and don't wish to struggle so much in daily life. First World problems, but also First World benefits because leaders are required to act, not merely exist and sit on their thrones. I already showed you how my sister's suburban neighborhood responded after a blizzard a few months ago. The post is here. We also frequently close major highways and roads when they become extremely hazardous due to ice or snow to prevent accidents and deaths.



I look at this photo and immediately panic due to the unsafe conditions. Imagine if the driver was irresponsible or drunk, coming up this hill at a high speed? The mother and her child are right in the pathway of danger. So, in my view, there are unique challenges to parenting in Russia, and all countries. For those in the U.S., you can share the frustrating challenges of raising children here.

The best parents are selfless, and play one of the most vital roles by raising intelligent, healthy and well-rounded humans who will contribute something positive to the world in the future. I've never once felt an obligation or desire to have this responsibility, and the reasons why are well-known to readers and documented here.

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of parenting?

P.S.: Yes, I know there are many wonderful and rewarding aspects of having children, but this post is about the challenges. Similarly, there are lots of pros to living child free. A personal decision, as all things in life.

Comments

Re: Привет. :) Согласен!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

:)) I can't recall all the gender variations. It's enough to remember only one form of the phrase, and it doesn't change the essence of the expression. But thank you, grammar nazi. :))

You should add an article about this problem in neighbour Canada!

[montrealex.livejournal.com]

I don't believe that all pedestrian roads are cleaned there.

Well, we don`t really care here in Canada whether you believe or not.

We don`t even care that you exist, to tell you the truth.

Also, I can`t answer for all Canada, but in the city of Dorval (about 18 000 inhabitants) all sidewalks are cleaned after every major snowfall by 6 AM, rarely later.

[cecille-abril.livejournal.com]

Women with babies don't work usually. Their work is taking care of babies, it's weird you don't understand such things.

[elksi.livejournal.com]

Usually they do not work until child is 18 month old, in some conditions until child is 3 years old. It is provided by the law.
Yes, its unsafe, and you was right, its about bad work of public utility service.

But thank you, grammar nazi. :))

[montrealex.livejournal.com]

Actually, you are welcome, and I am not the one.

It`s so simple to learn rudiments of Russian that even Americans can do it.

I have the son-in-law, a native American, a former Marine, btw, who not only did master Russian close to perfection, but also teaches Russian Litterature in the USA.

And you`re the person who tries to gain popularity among Russian readers, so you should be just ashamed not to have mastered such elementary things as to correcrtly reply "I agree" in Russian.

[Макс (from livejournal.com)]

Yes, but they, who created all these things, are a very tiny part of american society. Actually many of them isn't even americans, they are indian, chinese and so on. Most americans are slackers. It's known fact. Most of you know nothing about overcoming difficulties. Every year I see on TV funny stories about americans. There was a huge cold wave in Chicago, nobody went to work, -15 celsius. O my! I wish I had -15 celsius all winter! There was a snow storm in NY, nobody went to work. Airports don't work, subway doesn't work. Stories don't work. Actually there was a small amount of snow which in russia happens every day.

Re: But thank you, grammar nazi. :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I have no shame. :)) Russian is of no use to me in my professional or daily life, or even here in my blog where most of my readers have a very good understanding of English. For those who don't, it is easy to communicate through online translators, despite minor grammar and translation errors, the overall impact of most comments is still easily understood. English - it's the international language in the field of law, and many other highly-skilled sectors. Should my readers also learn English, just to write me here? I don't think so, nor would I expect it.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's weird that you don't understand a woman's "work" can be more than just taking care of babies. :)) I know many women who have children and careers at the same time, both in the USA and Russia. Not all couples have the financial luxury of having a stay at home mom or dad.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Exactly - they don't know it can be different, nor do they demand it. So, everything stays the same. :) Change is slow, but there is hope for the future. And it's good to have some battles and hardships in life so you're more prepared to deal with adversity, which finds us all at some point. As you stated with your SWAT/war analogy. :)

Re: You should add an article about this problem in neighbour Canada!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Did you take an angry pill today?

Sorry, I have no shame. :))

[montrealex.livejournal.com]

Too bad.

[peterkaymd.livejournal.com]

Easy peasy! Get rid of all TV sets at home. My kids have ipads that are linked into the amazon educational and netflix kids network. This way they watch all the educational shows and educational cartoons free of ads. I am very pleased to say that my kids have no desire to go to junk food places or beg after trendy toys. The annual subscription fees are more than pay for themselves in healthy benefits and lack of interest in the expensive toys of the season.

Re: Sorry, I have no shame. :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I have many intellectual pursuits, but linguistics isn't one of them. I don't understand the point in learning a difficult language like Russian (yes, it's difficult for most foreigners, despite your assertion), if it serves no real purpose in your professional or personal life? Most foreigners learn English because it's a necessity for better job prospects or access to mass amounts of educational, scientific, medical, legal, (insert almost any other field) information online and in public discourse...not just for the fun of it.

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Я всегда радуюсь, когда читаю комменты какого-либо юзера исповедующего идеологию "гуманизированный фашизм". Это так здорово:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Everyone is in some type of agitated and angry mood in comments today. :)) What's going on over there?

[Макс (from livejournal.com)]

i'm glad you're happy, man.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

And why are you so bitter and angry? This is the common emotional tone in most comments you post here.

Деффки

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

Physical activities saves women from sagging of boobs. If the second coming of Christ will occur, he will come here and precisely for this reason.

[kremlin-curant.livejournal.com]

Russians love to be patriotic. It means you mustn't complain to some inconvenience in your life as i.e. to have the good sidewalk for the mothers with trollers. Otherwise you can be call the traitor of the motherland.

Re: Деффки

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

You're wrong. I have big boobs, and they don't fluctuate much in size or gravitational pull, despite my constantly shifting weight and activity levels. :)) But I suppose for some females, it's different. So, there must be some other incentive for Christ to make Russia his landing place during the second coming. I'm sure you can think of some. :)

[Макс (from livejournal.com)]

You think so. Actually I just can't express myself in english properly. I'm a positive person. I love americans, these happy slackers.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Well, your English is just fine. Don't worry. :))

[dkfl.livejournal.com]

No single new school has been built in my city for the last 30 years.
Parenting is a permanent struggle in crowded cold environment with bad ecology.

Re: You should add an article about this problem in neighbour Canada!

[ottonturk-g.livejournal.com]

believe me i really don't care about wild people of CANADA.
It is not interest for me. Moreover soon it will be part of Russia when we hijack north territories :)
be happy and don get caught

Re: You should add an article about this problem in neighbour Canada!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

:)) Just don't take back Alaska!