A rising tide of research and real-world experience is challenging the notion that parenting should be a solitary journey. In a compelling new article from The Guardian, journalist Marina Lopes shares five vital lessons from communities around the globe—Mozambique, Brazil, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Singapore—highlighting the profound benefits of communal parenting, intergenerational support, and greater independence for children (“Please, yell at my kids! Five lessons I’ve learned about good parenting from around the world” The Guardian, 2025). Lopes’ revelations echo a growing body of research and hold special significance for Thai families balancing tradition and modernity in a time of rapid social change.
The centerpiece of Lopes’ story is her personal experiment in Singapore, where she and her husband decided—after the isolation of pandemic parenting—to move next door to their best friends and raise their young children together. “Communal parenting isn’t radical; it’s practical,” she recounts, describing the relief she felt sharing meals, playdates, chores, and even the occasional scolding from other trusted adults. For her children, this meant not only gaining more caretakers, but a richer sense of connection and belonging.
Why should this global conversation matter to Thai readers? Thailand has a strong tradition of extended families, with multiple generations often living under one roof and sharing childcare responsibilities (see more at Cultural Atlas). However, as research from Thai and international scholars shows, rapid urbanization, changing family structures, and Western influences are eroding these traditional networks, increasing stress and isolation for modern parents (PMC). At the same time, the pandemic exposed the limits of nuclear family life and renewed interest in the advantages of community-based parenting—sometimes captured in the popular Thai phrase “ต้องใช้หมู่บ้านเลี้ยงเด็ก” (“it takes a village to raise a child”).
Lopes’ global travel yielded five parenting lessons with echoes in Thai culture but also fresh, actionable ideas. First, she observes in Mozambique that “mom” is a community role, not just a biological one. Anyone who helps raise a child is respected as a caretaker. Building such a village doesn’t happen on its own: it requires deliberate effort—inviting neighbors for meals, helping out when someone is sick, and fostering close-knit ties.
Second, from Brazil, she urges parents to “expand the guest list.” Where Thai weddings often involve the whole extended family, childrearing has more recently become privatized, especially in Bangkok and other cities. Lopes suggests drawing inspiration from cultures where new mothers are surrounded by support during vulnerable periods—such as during childbirth or postpartum recovery—a concept matched in Thailand by traditional “อยู่ไฟ” practices and the involvement of elders during a new birth.
From the Iban people of Malaysia, Lopes highlights the success of communal living, where cousins, aunts, and adult friends help raise children together. This mirrors the “กงสี” (shared family businesses) and extended family houses familiar to older generations in Thailand, which are now returning in new forms—urban co-housing, multigenerational condos, and friend-based networks among Thai urbanites.
A more radical insight comes from the Dutch tradition of “forest droppings,” where children are given controlled independence to build resilience and confidence—sent into the woods with a flashlight and some snacks and expected to find their way home. This approach, underlined by countless cross-cultural studies, suggests that giving children age-appropriate freedoms is vital for their development. Thai parents, especially in urban areas, are sometimes wary of such autonomy due to safety concerns or competitive schooling pressure, but research shows small steps—supervising errands, road safety, or letting children responsibly help around the house—can nurture independence (Business Insider).
Finally, Lopes spotlights Singapore’s “granny nannies.” Many Thai families have long relied on grandparents, but modern anxieties about parenting “the right way” have sometimes limited this resource. Yet studies in both China and Thailand show that grandparent involvement, especially when roles are clear and communication is open, supports children’s educational and emotional development (PMC).
For Thai families, these lessons overlap with core values—but are also increasingly relevant amid rapid social disruption. The traditional Thai family, as described in studies and cultural guides (Thai Family - Cultural Atlas), features hierarchical but warm relationships. Parental monitoring, closeness, and family rituals—such as celebrating Songkran together or helping with household chores—are protective factors that lower adolescent risk behaviors (PMC).
Yet urban migration and Westernization have led to rising reports of adolescent alcohol use, smoking, and even gang involvement in Bangkok, as parents have less time to monitor and connect with their children (PMC Journal Article). The key, researchers find, is preserving “authoritative” (warm but firm) parenting, maintaining family rituals, and encouraging open communication. Disrupted rituals, such as reduced communal meals or less participation in traditional merit-making, are linked to higher adolescent risk—especially for girls.
Global and Thai research agrees: more hands lighten the load, but only if the village is intentionally tended. Effective community parenting, whether through family, friends, or neighbors, requires open communication, respect for different perspectives, and shared core values—like kindness, responsibility, and mutual support. These are principles deeply embedded in the concept of “เมตตาธรรม” (loving-kindness) and “อุปถัมภ์” (patronage or support), longstanding pillars of Thai society.
In practice, Thais can draw inspiration from these global findings by:
- Reaching out to family or trusted friends for support, especially during stressful periods.
- Involving children in household tasks and encouraging small steps towards independence.
- Organizing or participating in neighborhood events—such as community merit-making, street games, or shared meals—to rebuild the village networks of the past.
- Openly discussing values and parenting challenges with extended family, learning from the experiences of grandparents and elders.
- Remaining flexible: even when family members or friends have different parenting styles, focus on shared goals and kindness.
Looking ahead, Thailand faces both opportunities and challenges as its families adapt to a changing world. The wisdom gleaned from Mozambique to Singapore offers practical, evidence-based tools for building resilient, joyful family lives—ones that honor tradition, embrace community, and prepare children for the future.
If you’re a Thai parent feeling stretched thin, or a grandparent longing to offer more help, now is the time to reconnect, share stories, and rebuild the village around your children. Consider hosting a family dinner, inviting neighbors for a potluck, or sharing school pick-up duties with other parents—small acts that can reshape the parenting landscape for Thailand’s next generation.
Sources used in this report:
- The Guardian, “Please, yell at my kids! Five lessons I’ve learned about good parenting from around the world” (2025). Read the full article
- Thai Parenting Practices, Family Rituals and Risky Adolescent Behaviors: Alcohol Use, Cigarette Use and Delinquency. Read via PubMed Central
- Thai Family - Cultural Atlas. View cultural guide
- 7 ways people raise their kids around the world that US parents could learn from. Business Insider
- Parenting in community: how and where to find your village. YWCA Vancouver
- Grandparent involvement in child development outcomes. PMC