Dearest Gentle Reader, Season’s greetings 🤍 If I’m being honest, I didn’t keep all the promises I made to myself and to you guys in January 2025🥺. And for a long time, that bothered me a whole lot. But looking back now, I understand why. Last year needed me to pause, to learn, to unlearn, and to grow, and I’m grateful for every part of it. One of the biggest lessons came from choosing a career path. As a Microbiology graduate who genuinely enjoyed every aspect of the course (weirdly so), deciding what direction to take wasn’t easy. I felt pulled in many directions, unsure of where I truly belonged. Eventually, I ran back to God for clarity and slowly, things began to align. That clarity led me to academic writing. It was something I had always been interested in but never quite knew how to begin. When I finally took the leap, it was challenging, exciting, and deeply fulfilling. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who referred me, trusted my work, and supported my journey. Thank you f...
Imagine being 22, still in university, and expected to pay for your parent’s international trip (like they literally decided to japa but you have to fund it while still in school). Add to that the pressure of paying rent, sending money home, and supporting your younger siblings—all while you're still trying to figure out your own life. Sounds unreal, right? But for so many Nigerian youths, this is the harsh reality. 😔
I’ve been lucky not to face this burden, but I’ve met so many younger than me who are carrying responsibilities much older than them. And it’s not just about money—it's the stress and emotional toll of having to grow up too fast.
We all know Nigerian parents work hard to provide for their children, often sacrificing their own comfort to ensure their kids have a better life. My parents, for example, would do anything to make sure I'm okay. I can’t even begin to explain how much I appreciate their sacrifices, and I’d give them my last dime without hesitation. 🙏🏽💖
But here's the thing—sometimes, I feel like there's a limit to what they should expect from us. The Nigerian economy is tough, and it’s easy to see how our parents end up putting so much pressure on us. It’s almost like they expect us to carry the weight of the world while we’re still trying to figure out our own futures.
I recently had a conversation with a friend who sent me a voice note about this exact issue. He’s 22, still in school, and just paid for his parent’s trip abroad. Yet, he’s still expected to send money home, pay for the house rent, and support his siblings. This story hit me hard, and I thought, “Why not write about this?” It’s a topic that really needs to be addressed.
In a world where so many young people are already struggling to make ends meet, the expectations placed on us can feel suffocating. Some of us turn to illegal means just to survive, trying to meet these demands while dealing with the weight of our own dreams and goals.
Our parents mean well—they want us to succeed. But sometimes, their own struggles and the pressure of the harsh economy make them forget that we’re still figuring things out too. It’s a tough balance, and I hope one day we can all find a way to support each other without feeling like we’re drowning under the weight of responsibility.
I’m sharing this not to complain, but to create a conversation. At the end of the day, we all have our own struggles, and it’s important to talk about them. If you're feeling overwhelmed by expectations or responsibilities, remember that it’s okay to ask for help and take care of yourself too. Let’s support each other, share our experiences, and create a space where we can grow without the weight of unrealistic expectations. 🌱💬
If you’ve been through something similar or have thoughts on this, feel free to drop a comment or message me. Let’s keep this conversation going—because we’re all in this together. 🙌🏽✨
Spot on!
ReplyDeleteBlack taxing while you're a student is crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
We need to strike a balance. No parent should attempt to repair their life by mortgaging their child's.
Sure, your labour will be rewarded but please be patient with us too.
Spot on!
ReplyDelete*Heavy black taxing while you're a student is crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
We need to strike a balance. No parent should attempt to repair their life by mortgaging their child's.
Sure, your labour will be rewarded but please be patient with us too.
Couldn’t agree more! The black tax is a real issue, and finding balance between familial responsibility and personal growth is so so important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
DeleteBro! You just mirrored my thoughts! Honestly... Our parents needs to know that sometimes their demands can't be met, not because we don't want to do them, but because we also have our own life struggles to figure out, especially at early, and mid twenties.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you felt the same way! It’s a conversation that needs to be had openly and honestly. Hopefully this post encourages more dialogue around this topic
DeleteFamily, they say is everything. Everyone should learn to set boundaries. Nobody will kill you if you don't come through for them. This is one of the reasons we have lots of youths delving into illegal ways of getting money. Precious, thank you for writing on this crucial subject matter.
ReplyDeleteCouldn’t agree more, Hopefully this post encourages more dialogue around this topic
DeleteThis is Crazy!!! I hope the person finds strength and comfort because I can’t imagine how emotionally drained he’ll feel.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too🥺
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