Why Do We Choose What’s Popular Over What’s Right?
Unpopular opinion: Most educational choices today are made based on what is “cool” or socially accepted rather than what is actually right for the learner.
We live in an era of abundant choices in education. The standard State, CBSE, and ICSE curricula exist alongside international systems like IGCSE and IB. Meanwhile, alternative education models such as Montessori, Waldorf, farm-based schools, and community learning centers are gaining traction, marketed as "child-centered" and "hands-on."
Parents now have even more autonomy—choosing to homeschool or unschool, inspired by philosophies like de-schooling or do-nothing learning. A rising trend is micro-schools, boasting a 1:5 teacher-student ratio, where parents co-create the learning environment.
With so many options, why do people still gravitate toward what’s popular rather than what’s right?
The Role of Fear in Educational Choices
Simply put, our choices are often driven by fear—not just personal fear, but societal fear:
Fear of failure
Fear of rejection
Fear of not being successful in a socially approved way
Fear of financial insecurity
As humans, we crave acceptance and stability. The fear of falling behind—whether academically, socially, or financially—pushes us toward mainstream, widely accepted education models rather than considering what truly aligns with a child’s natural growth.
But what if fear wasn’t the deciding factor? What if we chose education based on what we truly need, rather than what’s expected of us?
How Children Naturally Learn
Children instinctively know what they need, yet as they grow, this intuition is gradually replaced by societal conditioning.
This morning, my 3-year-old son followed a self-directed learning path without any imposed structure:
He woke up feeling hungry, so he asked for food.
He saw his grandfather picking Champaka fruits and eagerly joined him.
Noticing his grandfather watering plants, he spontaneously engaged with nature, playing with leaves and exploring the garden.
He was warned not to stand under a coconut tree and quickly understood the risk, adapting his behavior.
He became curious about a paper bag, asked for child-friendly scissors, and experimented with cutting.
When he felt the need to use the bathroom, he went.
He returned to play with blocks before finally, laying down, listening to music, fully immersed in his own rhythm.
In just a few hours, he met his physical, emotional, and cognitive needs—without a structured curriculum, imposed assessments, or external pressures. He simply followed his inner compass.
This raises an important question: If children are naturally wired to learn, why do we impose rigid educational structures that weaken this instinct?
How to Make the ‘Right’ Educational Choice
The right choice is made when we remove fear from the equation and align education with what is truly needed for a child’s growth. But how do we do this in a world dominated by societal expectations?
Here’s a simple guide:
1. Define Your Priorities
Ask yourself:
What are my child's strengths and interests?
Do they thrive in structured or flexible environments?
What kind of learning makes them most engaged?
2. Recognize Fear-Driven Decisions
Be mindful of choices made from fear rather than awareness.
Ask:
Am I choosing this because it’s socially accepted?
Do I believe this path is the only way to ensure success?
Would I still choose this if I weren’t afraid of judgment?
3. Observe, Adapt, and Trust the Process
Instead of forcing a predefined path, observe how your child learns best and make adjustments along the way. Learning doesn’t have to be rigid or linear.
Breaking Free from Herd Mentality
Education should nurture a child’s natural curiosity, not suppress it. Unfortunately, as children grow, societal conditioning weakens their inner voice, replacing curiosity with fear-based conformity.
But here’s the truth: There is no one-size-fits-all education model.
The right choice for your child is the one that fosters learning without fear—where they grow, explore, and adapt freely.
So, let’s ask ourselves:
Are we choosing education out of fear
Or are we truly listening to what is best for our children?
It’s time to rethink education—not as a system to follow, but as a journey to discover.
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