Why are Greek parents so narrow-minded about their children?

Show all answers

Bob

Because the parents themselves have a narrow focus on the world and are afraid of their children becoming caught up in the world. Sadly, the adult children develop their own neuroses which prevents them from meeting significant others, getting married, having children and progressing in their own careers.

I became caught up in the world and lost everything.

Most American parents expose their children to abuse to prepare them for the world. On the opposite hand, Greek parents go out of their way to protect their children from the world but fail miserably when the child rebels or even apostasizes.

{EDIT} The American movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," although a satire, clearly illustrated narrow minded parents and the neurosis suffered by Toula UNTIL she met Ian and her neuroses evaporated.

Selena

I actually envied the way Greek children are brought up. Parents and family give them a lot of love and try to give them a good and varied education. It is nice to see that Greek children still play outside and they can do that until midnight. They also participate in a lot of cultural events and become a complete part of society. Greece is a very safe country and I believe, in that way, it should be a model for the world! Civilization was after all invented in Greece and it is sad to see what has happened to it in other parts of the world!

gaga_chick

You should be more specific about narrow-minded. Greeks are very family oriented and have a lot of pride about their heritage. If you mean narrow-minded in a church fashion b/c their community revolves around that a lot, and overprotective...I think it all stems from those cultural views- protecting family and being involved in community and Greek roots.

The Stainless Steel Rat

Your question is very vague to say the least. I'm a Greek parent and I do not have a clue as to what you are talking about. Help us out here.

somerlo

Perhaps because sometimes they are very conservative, but I'm sure they wish the best for their children

sofiatrohopoulou

other culture i would say they are very protective i am 33 and still tell me what shall i be careful about

Anna Mtz

Well as known Greek families are very close to each other.
Parents care about their children and want them to grow up with the ethics of greek society. Morality is the biggest issue that concerns greek parents.
Its a measure to protect children from today's dangers and try to make them be ready to take their lives on their own hands because its true even though its sad, that one day our parents will not be with us and we have to make all the difficult decisions and solve all our problems alone without their help.
I agree that sometimes they might be over strict and really narrow minded but i think that there is a way to fight it!
Just give it a try and show your parents that you are capable of making your own steps without being hurt and that you can be responsible of your duties but also ready to fight for your rights.

Leonarda

Minkus...where are you from?And why you dont specifie in which sense they are closed minded?I ll explain to you why...
Thats why i m asking you also to know where you are from, because it depends always on the country, how people see it..
Dont forget, that in all mediterranean counries the traditions are like thatt.In Greece exist an oriental mentality which wants children closed to the family and that the children jhave always to take care of them till they die...
Yes it is good, sometimes it is oppressing...
The rules of a society depend also on the history, on the geograpihical also situation, in Turkey also, in the arabic countries, in the south part of Italy, Spain, Portugal, it is like that...
You are right to say that they are narrow minded in somethings i would add, not in everything.This means, that concerning their choices in their life, the parents in order to prpotect accordin to their criteria, they interfere in the life of their children..Or concerning the moral, the children can have their private life hidden and secret, since some rules dont allow to expose all the details of their private liefe immediately to the family...
But fortunately, or unfortunately these are the structure of the society..sometimes it struggles you...sometimes it is good, because some principles are still kept...We can not eliminate everything....

SOULA K

they are not ! they are famly oriented

grkjeannie

Because Greek parents are always right and know more than their children.
I am a greek parent, and now I understand why my parents were "narrow-minded" too.

music101

I am greek . my dad is greek. idk. its just theyre way of protecting us. they have a very strong culture and mostly stick to what their parents did and told them. they are very proud of their ways and sometimes very stubborn about changing them. idk. If youre greek hopefully one day you'll understand when you have kids.

ursula!!!

haha nice question...BUT....maybe you guys are too OPEN-minded.....Yes in some things greek parents are narrow-minded but of course greeks dont see it in that way and besides you say these things according to your own freedom and beliefs...Oh...and just think that Greece is in on the top of the countries with families still existing..Greeks have their own way to keep their families united and disciplined but at the same time without being so ''peremptory'' and ''coercive''.....I like my life and i m just a normal 16year old teenager! cya!

waterdrop

Wanted to add, that there is a big difference between greek families abroad (eg in Canada, or the US) and greek families that live in Greece. As I understand from friends' comments, greek families which are immigrants (even 2nd or 3rd generation) tend to be over-conservative and persisting too much on identity. They look a bit like greek families used to be in the 50s - like my grandparents! Greek parents in Greece are quite modern, not like that. Of course there is a different perception as regards where the duties of a parent stop (usually they never stop!), but I wouldn't name that as narrow-mindness. It is more of over protectiveness...:)

Lilaki

Does "narrow-minded" mean that Greek parents are always there for their children, even if their children are middle-aged? Does that mean that Greek parents make sure their children aren't unprotected? Does that mean that they don't throw their children out of their house when they become of age? Does that mean that they provide for them until they can provide for themselves? Does it mean that they make sure that their children have everything whether it be a good education (by all means) or a home or a steady job?
If so, then yes, Greek parents are narrow-minded and very proud of it, too!

since my parents were born in Greece i was there first born and in America where people are modern was wrong for them when everyone was wearing makeup i was not,my Friends if any would be chosen by them,dating was a no for them,married would be decide by them in other words my life was plan out by them which i rebel against them but now they have accept this modern lifestyle and beg me to go out and find someone and all the things they denied me

Fellina

Be a bit more specific what you mean by narrow minded. Having lived in the States and Greece, I would say that the Greek kids have complete freedom, a little too much too soon for my taste.

Families are very close knit to the point of suffocation, as happens with most Mediteranean cultures but that's how they are brought up. The never really learn to stand on their own two feet, especiall the women... their mothers have to do everything for them, even raise their kids.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: