A New York Times column on "victimhood", and parents sending their children for Primary 1 preparatory classes got readers talking this week.
Some readers urged people not to adopt a defeatist attitude and to take charge of their own lives. They urged caution against an entitlement mentality and against blaming others for their plight; instead, they encouraged self-empowerment, rather than reliance on the Government.
Readers also raised concerns about the need some parents feel to prepare their children academically for Primary 1. Some said there is enough time in the Primary 1 curriculum to allow children to adapt, while others questioned if the enrichment centres many parents are sending their children to really prepare children for Primary 1.
Some readers also said parents should allow their children time to play and just be children, and that many elements of holistic development can be acquired in childhood; hothousing them at such an early age could hamper their ability to be independent and resilient.
Here are some of the letters:
To be the 'victim' or not is a choice
Let's resolve not to play defeatist role of victim
The 'need' to prepare for P1 worrying
Important to support kids' holistic development
For more forum letters, please click here.