Americans are weird, especially when they become parents. And Americans turn really, really strange after they have children. I would know, I’m an American myself, with children. Our family left the United States just over 6 months ago to start a new life in a foreign country. One of the most glaring contrasts between life in America and life in a third world country, is the way children are reared, as well as they way they are perceived in society. Honestly, I have nothing against my home country, but seeing family values through a new culture has been incredibly rewarding and refreshing for me. It is a wonderful concept to see that children are just children, not prizes or trophies, or inconveniences and a nuisance. Children are the essence of life, the voice of the future and the connection to the past. They are the soul of what gives all living generations hope, purpose, and inspiration.

15 The Tube 

If you’ve never left the states, or even your respective home town, you may indeed be wondering, just what in the world I’m talking about. Well, it’s a long and complicated story, but one worth hearing if you have the ability to listen. Life outside of America is big, even huge, and surprisingly enough, the rest of the planet does not revolve around what’s going on in the States. While it may indeed be impossible to escape the imposing media attention centered on the golden country, most of what leaks to the other side is inconsequential to life outside the borders. Citizens around the world are not raising their kids, they way they see parents doing so on reality or sitcom TV. They aren’t buying things for their kids based on the last commercial they saw. And they aren’t relying on celebrities or spokes models to tell them about the newest parenting methods.

14 Big Bellied And Barefoot

Let’s start with pregnancy. You might be surprised that the news of a sweet little pea brewing inside your belly, does not entitle you to nine months of luxury and laziness. It does not exempt you from staying up on your feet, from staying fit and active, or from gaining fifty pounds. You are soon to be a parent, and you’re expected to pull your weight, suck it up, and work hard until the day your baby arrives. Pregnancy is not a vacation; it is just another milestone in a woman’s life. It is natural and has little effect of the daily activities of millions of women around the globe. While, the United States ranks relatively low in its offerings for maternity leave compared to most of the world, you have to remember, that outside of 1st world countries, a huge number of women do not work outside the home. Therefore, they can’t get paid leave, and they can’t expect someone else to do their share of childrearing and housework. Life goes on, and pregnancy is no big deal.

13 Forget About It!

So what about all the hype in America, about epidurals and c-sections, and claiming your stake on the best obstetrician in the city? Think again. Outside the USA, many women do not see an OBGYN for regular appointments throughout their pregnancy, unless there is an established reason for concern. The family doctor will do just fine, or maybe a midwife, perhaps even just your sister and your mother. In fact, you may or may not even be scheduled for a delivery at the hospital of your choice. Natural birth and home birth are not a trending movement, but are still relatively normal practices throughout the world. So you want an Epidural and to schedule you’re C-section? Yeah, right. These are reserved for use in high risk pregnancies only and are considered an emergency intervention in many countries. Many times, even basic pain killers are considered taboo and are viewed as completely unnecessary for childbirth.

12 Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Outside of the American birth abyss, if you do wind up in the hospital for delivery, don’t bother packing your bags. In some places, the birth excursion is no more complex that an out-patient surgery. In the Netherlands, if you have an uncomplicated delivery, early in the day, you may be sent home with your baby as soon as two hours postpartum. Many women wouldn’t dream of staying in a facility for a three day weekend, or more. In fact, plenty of cultures view the strength and capability of a mother, as a direct reflection of how quickly she bounces back. The sooner she resumes normal activities, the more a woman is revered in her community. In West Africa, women are admired for their modesty throughout their pregnancy, and are respected for how well they can hide the signs of pregnancy and labor. If is not uncommon for the pregnancy and birth to be evident for only approximately a month surrounding the time of delivery.

11 Who’s That On Your Hip?

When the bundle of joy does arrive, it does not spell imminent social isolation for the mother. A baby is not a curse, a condemnation from the outside world, or even a hindrance upon a woman’s previously lived life. Many cultures feature women who barely miss a beat, stepping right back in routine, as though a new baby were nothing more than an extension of herself. Of course, mothers of the red, white, and blue rarely take their children to work, but that is just another example of the odd things Westerners do. Separate from their children seemingly moments after birth. In many regions of the world, children and mother, stay hand in hand, skin to skin, side by side for the duration of childhood. Mothers do not often leave their children behind, to be raised by another, but instead they incorporate motherhood into all things they do. Kids are expected to be present, and not dismissed, helpful rather than aided, and cherished for every ounce of their childishness.

10 Milk It, Baby

There is no easy way to put it, the cold, hard truth will have to do. The low rates of breast feeding in America are astounding, with statistics saying that only 16% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for 6 months. Women often hesitate due to social factors, stating that it is too controversial to be worth it, and that it’s more convenient to use formula. Americans are definitely the odd ones out here, though sadly, formula companies have growing influence around the globe every year. In most parts of the world, breastfeeding is expected and formula or bottles are rarely seen or used.

New mothers are not often asked to cover up or pushed to quit nursing by the time the baby is crawling. On-demand, anytime, anywhere breastfeeding is believed by many to be the most natural and important aspect of early motherhood. Breasts are certainly not sexualized and not many take a second a glance at exposed pink skin or nipples. This is something worth listening to, as despite having access to the best and most modern hospitals and healthcare, American newborns and babies are among the sickest on the planet. Experts say breast milk has a lot to do with it. The vast majority of the world keeps nursing until at least age 2, and many cultures in India, China, and Africa, make no fuss if a child doesn’t wean until the early school years. In many areas it is completely normal and acceptable for a mother to continue nursing until the child is between the ages of 4 and 6.

9 The Bare Necessities

Diapering seems second nature in any family with a squirming little one, right? Not so fast! It’s not as normal as you think. Just because Americans do it, doesn’t mean that everyone does. Disposable diapering is a no-no is so many regions, that I have trouble counting the countries that actually do practice the modern method of poop packaging. Did you know that many cultures don’t use diapers at all?! Bare bottoms and infant incontinence are no big deal in China, accidents are normal, and tolerance is high in this society. It is not uncommon for babies as young as 6 months old to be practicing potty training. The little bums are gleefully exposed, with the widely used crotchless toddler trousers. Messes are expected, but extra laundry is not. Near misses and colossal fails are cleaned up with little more ordeal that an doggy mess.

The vast majority of the world, use various forms of cloth diapers, with no influence on the “natural mommy” trends of the Western world. It is quite interesting to see how many variations of the diaper exist, but it’s even more fascinating to learn that many rural families in under developed regions, don’t use diapers at all, and see no point in containing human waste. In most warm climates, babies are left naked to play in the sand and rinse in the river, with very little regard or fears of filth and contamination.

8 Playtime Manners

Once you’ve peeked at the social structures of the rest of the world, it quickly becomes apparent just how over bearing America’s parents are. Scheduling and cajoling, primping and priming, it’s all rather exhausting for the tiny human beings. Citizens of the world, often give their kids free reign by the age of 2. It’s not uncommon to see youngsters, running in packs without a parent in sight. They are allowed to explore, experiment, and fulfill childhood to the greatest extent.

A shocking number of cultures believe that minimal intervention is the best path to a child’s success. Mothers and fathers alike typically step aside, allowing for experience and instinct to take over. This isn’t to say that parents leave their kids unattended, they simple standby with little reaction, allowing kids to make their own mistakes and solve their own problems. In most places, you won’t see mother hovering near the playground, scheduling play dates, or breaking up arguments. Parents in Polynesia, Japan, and Kenya alike, say that it’s best not to be referee, but to let kids bond and form peer groups on their own. They state that these early life experiences are the only way for youngsters to develop crucial social skills.

7 Don’t Ditch The Kids

Another strange thing I’ve noticed is the way that U.S. parents like to pretend that their life is the way it was before kids. There is an obsession with date night and babysitters and daycare, too. The weekends are a competition to see and been seen, and to prove that you’ve still got you’re groove. But, other cultures don’t work this way. Kids are not had, just be to discarded, to be shovelled off to grandma’s, and left behind like a burden.

Other parents don’t scramble for moments of “free time” and quick relief of their duties. Family is a full time job and where the kids don’t go, the parents don’t either. In fact, outside of America, multiple generations are usually caught mingling together, relaxing and enjoying life as a pack, or a tribe so to speak. Kids are not subject to the constraints of early bed times, and not sheltered from dancing and drinking, or of witnessing their parents letting loose. Parents aren’t two different people, one in front of their kids, and another while they are away. The family is a unit, tightly linked with each other, and usually happy about it, too.

6 Stranger Danger

Have you ever heard that foreign nations don’t like Americans, or maybe even that they hate them? Well, it might be a little extreme to say that everyone dislikes us, but it truly isn’t too far off kilter. But, do you know why? It’s not what you like to think, or even what most believe. The world isn’t jealous of the patriots; the world is disappointed and frustrated with our lack of effort and evolution. Quite often, Americans are viewed as selfish, arrogant, stuck-up snobs.

The main reason is our lack of friendliness, and the fact that we literally teach our children to be rude. The fear obsessed nation that has been teaching our children for decades, to be afraid of strangers, is destroying the sociability of each new generation. We walk the streets with our eyes on our toes, avoiding eye contact, handshakes, and even a simple hello. This seriously inhibits our openness to other cultures and ways of life; it closes off the chance to meet someone new, different, and interesting. And it makes other people disgusted, disappointed, and frustrated. We are viewed as unapproachable, unadaptable, unwelcoming and worst of all, unfriendly.

5 Hit The Books

And now for the Preschool debate? In The States, the ripe old age of 3, means being ushered out the door to start preparing for the oh- so- imminent entrance exams of a college kid. You can’t start too soon, for god forbids that youngsters have a childhood, there isn’t time for that. But, guess what America, the age is all wrong! Take it from Finland, where the kids obliterate American statics in math, reading, and science; and guess what? They don’t even have preschool there; kids don’t even start Kindergarten until the blossoming age of 7! But, the Fins are not the only ones, more countries than not, don’t have formal education or anything that resembles it for the Preschool years. Education around the globe generally begins with Kindergarten near age 6, a whopping 3 years later than American children. The early years are reserved for play and parental connections, cultural assimilation and social integration among their natural counterparts.

4 The Seventh Inning Stretch

Now that the kids are professional students, it’s time to ante up and push them to succeed. But, when you live in the land of the free, one interest won’t do. Enrol them in every possible extracurricular activity, to give them the teeniest chance to excel. After all, a child’s value has everything to do with how many awards and participation ribbons that one can receive in each calendar year. No, other countries don’t play the game this way.

American parents are obsessed with sports participation, leading their kids on crazy, demanding schedules akin to the routines of professional athletes, all for little real reward beyond social acceptance into the so-called-elite leagues and teams. No, other countries really don’t do this, not to this extreme. Parents don’t have false hopes of their children becoming professional athletes, and they don’t value more work and regiment over play. Citizens around the world, primarily still believe that children need unstructured free play, self chosen interests, relaxation and sleep. That’s it!

3 Passing The Buck

There are all kinds of rules and regulations, and even laws that prevent kids under the age of 14 from getting a job. In some ways, these are for good reason. But, even in other societies where similar rules exist, they are often discarded for reasoning out of necessity. In many places, working kids are a very normal aspect of the culture and society. We’re not talking about hard labor, but children that are expected and needed to learn the trades of their family. The life skills that they gain from following in their parents footsteps, and from learning to hustle on the street, are a far cry from the enabled childhoods of American kids.

Children as young as 5, are deemed capable of contributing to the family income in many corners of the world. Some are given a choice between work and study, and with fair cause. In some regions, the value of a skill far exceeds that of book knowledge. In other places, children are even exempt from certain school hours and even seasons, to allow them to practice their trade and in turn help to support their families. While it may seem appalling to many Americans, it’s not such a foreign concept to allow children to make their own choices, rather than forcing an extended education onto kids that would excel better elsewhere.

2 We Don’t Need No Education

Speaking of school, if you are a kid growing up in the great 50 states, you probably know what college is by the time you’re in first grade. If we didn’t know better, getting a degree seems to be the single contributing factor that determines your ability to succeed in the world, and most importantly to get a job. But, did you know that The U.S. has $1.2 Trillion dollars in student loan debt?! Why the madness?

American society literally forces emerging adults into a vicious cycle of borrow, struggle to repay, and to live a life dictated by bills owed, usually without even working in the field of their degree. Nearly 70% of high school graduates immediately enrol in college, while barely half ever graduate. Other societies don’t live this way, and it does make you wonder why Americans do? The rest of the world is much less likely to spend money they don’t have, take out loans, or obsess about college education. A business degree is not necessary to succeed, make money, and even thrive. Most of the world survives just fine from a good, old street education, and a graduation from the school of life.

1 We Are The People

So, there you have it, the many reasons why the world thinks that Americans, and especially American parents are complexly out-of-their-minds weird. It definitely shows a nation that certainly dances to the beat of their own drum, with little consideration for how the rest of the world views them. It does not necessarily make us wrong, but maybe a bit sheltered on our perspectives, and perhaps a lot biased on what we are sure is the right way. It’s great to think outside the box, to broaden our horizons, and even to consider or re-consider our parenting choices. What might work for us, certainly may not for others, and with this article, we have hopefully shed a little bit of light, on the many reasons why. Let it be a tool, to teach, to understand, and to be more aware of the rest of the world around us.

Sources: Parents.com, WhatToExpect.com, NPR.org, Mothering.com, Education.com