USA, Canada /
Differences in How Polish People Raise a Child and How Americans Raise a Child [149]
Since I was raised by a couple of Polish-American parents (they still spoke Polish) here in America I think I can add a few items to the conversation.
Item No. 1, Polish parents are control freaks. Need proof? Just read this thread. I couldn't wait to move out, when I became of age (19). My folks just wanted me to stay in a closet for the rest of my life.
Family and especially children is #1 in Polish culture. Entertainment and wealth is #1 in American culture (Because Americans are drilled ''This is the freeist and greatest country in the world'' from a young age)
Item No. 2, I was raised in a Polish neighborhood (Polish-Americans and recent emigres from Poland). Poles are much more materialistic than Americans. Not even a contest. The most recent from Poland, the more materialistic.
It's true that Americans are drilled that this is the finest country in the world as opposed to Poles who are drilled that being Polish is worse and Poland is the worst place in the world. I've seen both and both are untrue, but I'd much rather be raised like the former.
I admit the family structure in Poland is many, many times better than in North America (excluding Mexico) but don't go riding on past glory. Polish society is teetering dangerously close to one that is "it all about me."
Mexico? Have you been witnessing the war that's been going on down there? Beheadings, shootings, corruption...where's the family's values? Mexican society is unbelievably brutal.