A Future of Choices

In celebration of International Women’s Day, I thought I’d write about my hopes and aspirations for my twin daughters’ future, while reflecting on my own life and that of my mother.

 At just five years old, my daughters are growing up in a world different to that of my childhood, and significantly different to that of my own mother’s childhood.  They are growing up in a fast-paced world of technology, with computers and gadgets controlling almost every aspect of our lives.  They are growing up in a world of consumerism, where we have a multitude of choices for food, clothing, household goods, toys, gadgets, and luxury items.  It is a throw-away culture, with people opting to replace items that are still in working order, just so they can upgrade to the latest model or keep up with fashion.  It is a world of celebrity, with reality stars and WAGS, who are famous without having any discernable talent. It is a world of terrorism, where travel is an ever-increasing risk.

I want my girls to enjoy their school days, and will encourage them to progress to further or higher education.  As an advocate of lifelong learning, I am teaching my girls that education is an important privilege.  They should take advantage of the educational resources available to them, because there are many girls in other countries who cannot access even the most basic education.  I firmly believe that education is never wasted.  Therefore, if they change their mind halfway through their studies, or go on to do something completely different after graduating, their time spent learning will still be a positive contribution to their lives.

My own mother reluctantly left school at fifteen to start a job.  A talented artist, she really wanted to go to Glasgow School of Art.  Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option for her.  She was expected to start earning and contribute to the household.  Although she had been a good scholar at school, my mother was never encouraged to pursue her education, simply because she was a girl.  She had no choice.  This was in 1960.  Her brother, a few years younger, went on to study at university.

My parents always offered support and encouragement to my sister and I, throughout our educational years.  I hope to offer the same level of encouragement to my daughters.  I will support them with their educational choices, such as choosing their subjects for third year, choosing which course to study after school, and what college or university to go to.  (more…)