A lecture hall at one of the most prestigious university campuses. Nigerian child walks in, a bag draped over a shoulder, books cradled in the crook of an arm. Smiles and waves to other undergraduates milling around the lecture room. Moves towards a vacant seat. Phones vibrates as Nigerian child is about to sit down.
Nigerian child: (extracts mobile from bag) Daddy, good afternoon.
Nigerian parent: (a hushed sound) Where are you? I hear voices.
Nigerian child: I’m in the lecture room. About to have a lecture.
Nigerian parent: Then why do I hear boys voices in the background?
Nigerian child: Boys? Voices? (Startled) Dad, I’m in the lecture hall! I have male course-mates as well as females.
Nigerian parent: (hisses in indignation). Don’t try to be smart with me young lady! I know you have male course-mates. I’m asking why you have to sit close to them! Aren’t there other vacant seats available without the male counterparts flouncing about you? Is that what you do because you are now in a university, far away from home? This is why I wanted you to go to a university closer to the house, where I could keep an eye on you. Now, you have started mixing and seating with boys. Only God knows what you’ll do next?!
Nigerian child: (pensive) I’m about to have a lecture, dad.
Nigerian parent: Will you listen to me?! You should not be sitting down close to any boy. There should be other vacant seats where you can sit, without male interference,
Nigerian child: (heaves a quiet sigh) Dad, there …
Nigerian parent: (interrupts impatiently.) This is what I don’t like about you. Always stubborn when I’m trying to correct you. Protect you. You shouldn’t be sitting down in close proximity to any man.
Nigerian child: Dad, this is a mixed school! (she echoes vehemently)
Nigerian parent: Still. I want to hear you stand up and change your seat. Where no boy will traipse by.
Nigerian child: There’s no place like that.
Nigerian parent: (screeches) Then look for. Stand up right now. I want to hear you moving.
Sounds of feet moving is heard as she gets up, move towards a less crowded portion of the hall.
Nigerian child: I’m all alone, dad. No boys in the vicinity.
Nigerian parent: (listens intensively) Good. I just want to protect you.
Nigerian child: (sullenly) Yes. The lecturer just came in. Bye, dad.
Nigerian parent: Bye. I’ll call you later.
Call drops.
{The Ends.}
Dear readers, what’s your perception of the above illustration?
Are you of the opinion the father is justified in his protective disposition towards his child?
Or is this an attribute a parent will exhibit, that will spook a child into never wanting to return home.
Remarks and answers can be dropped in the comment box.
Photo credit:sirlejuures.blogspot.com
That's extreme! This is the same person that will pressurize her later to bring home a husband. We need to learn where to draw the line and balance things out.
ReplyDeleteBalance things out. Good point
DeleteEverything should be done with moderatio that is what I believe. There should be a point of drawing the line so as not to fail in parental responsibilities
ReplyDeleteI wish parents understand the Grammer of - drawing the line
DeleteAttitudes like these are what pushes a child to be very lonely away from home.
ReplyDeleteWhen the child finally gets into bad association, it will be difficult for children to confide in their parents because all that comes out will be loud screams!!!
Parents should be more careful in this extra sensitive time and age.
Bull's-eye, Tolu
DeleteChildren that has Intransigent Parents that intrigues in all their affairs and uses inveigle means to make them obey all their wants are the ones that later feel neglected and go more beyond what life has offered to them.
ReplyDeleteIf a parent have to this to seek for the protection of the child then the social vices will never be curbed in the society
So in conclusion, this is a bad trait that should be avoided at all cost.
DeleteExactly, they should allow their children to grow independently and know what life is all about
DeleteYet still watching
DeleteThey are to watch to guide them on situations they can't handle on their own.
DeleteCorrect
DeleteInfact it would make me avoid his calls, and lie to keep up with his over protective measures
ReplyDeleteInteresting
DeleteToo xtreme.... It leads to no good...
ReplyDeleteMakes the bridge even wider
DeleteIrresponsible parenting in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThere is a point you get to that you let a child make his decisions
And this is the harsh truth
DeleteWhat's the background story of the girl? We don't know. It sounds like the father has an ongoing conversation with his daughter and maybe there's a backlog of her experiences with boys. The father's action no doubt is over board and in that conversation is crossing the line. She won't be able to confide in her dad knowing he is the intrusive type but still, she can get over this. We have to balance this discussions: She is in the University and things at this point cannot be overlooked especially when the person is away from home. Guys, parents will be parents and I don't blame them. They have crossed the lines before and they will still cross the line again and again. We need to give them reasons why they shouldn't cross it. The girl should also stand her ground when the line is crossed in other to save her relationship with her father and her future pairs.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder how that will play out - when she tries to stand her ground 🤔
DeleteOf course this is called *doing too much* #extra.
ReplyDeleteBut you never know the dad's reasons. Something might have spooked him into overprotective mode
Whatever spooked the dad might spook the kid to rebel in the worst way possible if not cautioned .
Delete