How do Balinese bring up their children?
Does it differ from other cultures? Part I
The way Balinese bring up their kids is really quite unique.
Compared with a western culture, for example, child-raising
methods are completely opposite in many respects. This doesn’t
mean to say that either is wrong, of course – just different.
Balinese love kids. Part of the reason for this is that they
view young children as sacred beings. Since they are close
to the beginning of life (and their previous past life), they
are still part of the realm of the gods and also have the
ability to see the supernatural world.
Sometimes, to the outside world, Balinese kids may seem a
little spoilt. In most Balinese families, however, the only
thing that they are spoilt with is with love! From birth until
children are three Balinese months (110 days) old, they are
carried everywhere and are never placed on the ground (the
earth). This is because they are truly considered to be ‘little
gods’.
Child-raising in Bali involves the whole family, including
aunties, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents cousins,
nieces and nephews, and even members of the extended family.
Men, women and children of all ages tend to go “ga-ga”
over babies. Parents even let complete strangers pick up and
cuddle their babies. In the West, many people feel uncomfortable
with this. But with so many people showing them affection,
Balinese kids must certainly grow up feeling very loved!
After a baby is born, the parents stay home with the baby
for several weeks until (traditionally up until the first
ceremony at 42 days) and don’t leave the house unless
it is absolutely necessary. If parents take their newborns
out visiting when they are this young, other Balinese invariably
ask, “Don’t you think s/he might catch cold?”
with a pained expression on their faces. It is only modern
families who venture out the house for anything but check
ups at the doctor or vaccinations.
More on how Balinese bring up children in the next issue of
Kulture Kid…
Copyright@ Kulture Kid 2007
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