Why are Americans so impatient with children?

Question

We recently took an international trip with two children. During the trip we travelled through Europe and Asia. The children did well for the most part, but I noticed that when they were crying in Europe and Asia people were sympathetic and even offered to help. Over here in U.S., however, if our children cry in a plane we often get means looks. Just curious if anyone has thoughts on why we are like that ?

Let me clarify that I am an American as well. Clearly, not all Americans are impatient with children, but based on my experience it felt like we, as a society, are like that. I wanted to see if anyone had thoughts on why our society reacts so differently to children.

Answer 1

People can be very prideful and judgemental. We have expectations of how others are to behave, and when they don't, we can look down our noses at the offending parties. It's a sad reality everywhere I would guess.

We have become a less social society over just the last 25 years or so. I remember when I first moved to my current city as a child and all the neighbors came over and brought cookies and introduced themselves. Within 15 years, nobody went to see the new neighbors anymore. We all have holed up in our houses and we want to be left alone. We don't know our neighbors anymore, the only interaction there is , is when one has a complaint about the other. It's very sad and I'm really not sure the reason.

So, in your travels, you encountered that same principle. Leave me alone, don't bother me. Your children apparently invaded those people's ears or whatever and they get angry. I'm sorry you had that experience of America. I see it too, but I also see a lot of good people. There are still some that try to reach out to others and be kind.

Answer 2

We have also experienced the same thing with our children. Here in the U.S. I think that parents are just so stretched to the limit, working, commuting, shuttling their children to half a dozen activities a week, etc... In Europe, many countries value family time, and they enjoy their meals and company, instead of rushing through the drive-thru of some fast food restaurant. When we went to Europe, people moved at a much slower pace and had more vacation time. I am lucky because I can be home full time with our children, and we limit our childrens' activities to 1 per week. But the vast majority of Americans are so impatient and have no tolerance for a child who may be tired or cranky because they themselves feel the same way!

Answer 3

For me it's when I'm trapped with noisy people that I get frustrated. If I can get away from crying children, loud gall bladder conversations, screaming cell phoners, arguing married couples, blasting headphones or stereos, I'm ok. But if I can't get away from annoying people of any age, I get really aggravated. I was in the doctors office recently, and some kids were crying (they were probably bored or sick or both, I wasn't mad at them at all) but I was so happy to find a small alcove where I could go for a bit of quiet.

Answer 4

With the exception of some very Good Samaritans, we are impatient with anything that does not look like us, eat like us, speak like us, walk like us, talk like us, have similar views like us or a have a faith that remotely resembles ours.

In part it is ignorance, in part arrogance and in part both.

However, do not forget the ones who would give you the shirt off their backs and if need be even die so you could live safe. They make up for the rest. We salute them.

Answer 5

No patience, there was a family kicked off a plane because their 3 year old was crying. hey kids shouldn't be expected to cope and not have a meltdown.

Answer 6

Well, thats your opinion, cuz Im American, and Im not that way, nor is my family or my friends.*