#Familyculture

A recent wave of psychology commentary is sounding alarms about a growing dynamic in families worldwide: children stepping into adult roles to shoulder emotional or practical burdens for their parents. In a recent discussion about parentification, experts warn that when kids take on responsibilities that aren’t developmentally appropriate, the effects can ripple across school, friendships, sleep, and long-term mental health. For Thai families, where close-knit households and intergenerational care are common, the risk can feel particularly relevant. The concern centers on a simple truth: warmth and closeness between parents and children are healthy only when boundaries allow children to grow, explore friendships, and learn from their own mistakes. When a child becomes a caregiver, mediator, or therapist to a stressed parent, that boundary blurs. The child may end up juggling roles that belong to adults, and the consequences can show up as emotional strain, physical symptoms, and difficulties down the road in intimate relationships or personal development.

Recent global research has unveiled the surprising power of grandparenting to shape the health, identity, and resilience of the next generation—a finding that carries fresh resonance across Thai society as families navigate urbanization, shifting demographics, and evolving intergenerational roles. In a new era marked by aging populations and increasing longevity, the influence of grandparents is being rediscovered not only as a source of emotional nourishment, but as a foundation for cognitive and social development in grandchildren, bridging family culture, and preserving critical intergenerational wisdom.

New global research highlights how grandparenting shapes the health, identity, and resilience of the next generation. This insight resonates in Thailand as cities grow, families change, and intergenerational roles evolve. With aging populations and longer lifespans, grandparents are being rediscovered not only as emotional anchors but as contributors to cognitive and social development, while helping preserve family culture and wisdom.

Thai culture has long honored elders and supported multi-generational households. Yet recent reviews and analyses show grandparents influence more than caregiving; they shape values, coping skills, and social thriving. In a Thai context, grandparents often transmit patience, gratitude, and perseverance through shared meals, festivals, and daily routines that anchor children amid a fast-changing society.

A recent research study has found that the strict, high-expectation parenting style widely known as the “tiger mom” approach can significantly enhance adolescents’ cognitive abilities—but may simultaneously undermine their emotional health. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and widely reported by PsyPost, highlight the complex trade-offs facing families who adopt stringent methods in hopes of academic success.

For Thai parents and educators, the results are especially significant in the context of increasing concerns about youth mental health and a highly competitive education system. The “tiger mom” style, popularized by Asian families and often associated with relentless academic rigor and disciplined routines, has gained both admiration and criticism in Thailand’s urban, middle-class communities. As pressure mounts on students to excel in national exams and international competitions, understanding the effects of such parenting approaches is more critical than ever.

A new study finds that the strict, high-expectation “tiger mom” parenting style can sharpen adolescents’ cognitive abilities, though it may take a toll on their emotional health. The research, published in a peer-reviewed journal, highlights the trade-offs faced by families who prioritize academic success through rigorous routines.

For Thai parents and educators, the findings arrive at a time of growing concern about youth mental health amid intense competition in education. The tiger mom approach—often linked to relentless study schedules and high parental pressure—has both admirers and critics in Bangkok’s and provincial Thailand’s urban families. As students face national exams and international benchmarks, understanding this parenting style’s effects is increasingly relevant.

A new trend is emerging among mothers worldwide—a growing embrace of the ‘Type B’ mom identity that stands in stark contrast to the traditionally idolized, “perfect” parenting image long prevalent on social media. This movement, spotlighted in a recent TODAY.com article, is sparking conversations among experts and parents alike about the impact of parenting styles on both child development and maternal well-being (today.com).

The significance of the ‘Type B’ mom trend lies in its open rejection of rigid perfectionism and its celebration of patience, flexibility, and emotional support. For many Thai mothers, who often navigate the expectations of extended families, cultural pressure for “organized motherhood,” and the realities of modern life, this trend offers a refreshing alternative, raising important questions about balance, self-care, and children’s needs in Thailand today.

A growing global trend is reshaping how mothers define “good parenting.” The so-called Type B mom identity rejects the pressure to be perfect, embracing patience, adaptability, and emotional support. This shift is sparking conversations among Thai families about child development, maternal well-being, and practical everyday life.

For Thai mothers, balancing extended-family expectations, cultural norms around organized motherhood, and the pressures of modern life can be exhausting. The Type B approach offers a healthier alternative that prioritizes connectedness and resilience, inviting families to rethink routines, self-care, and what children truly need in today’s Thailand.

A recent study has shed light on the changing dynamics of information-seeking among children, revealing a striking trend: kids are more likely to trust Google than guidance from their own grandparents. This finding underscores the profound influence of digital technology on the younger generation in Thailand and beyond, raising important questions about the future of knowledge, cultural transmission, and education in the kingdom.

In an era where information is just a few taps away, Thai households are witnessing a significant cultural shift. Traditionally, elders like grandparents have been regarded as the primary sources of wisdom, life lessons, and practical knowledge—especially in rural regions and deeply rooted Thai families. However, with widespread smartphone access, high-speed internet, and the influence of digital literacy campaigns, youngsters today are turning to search engines for answers to their most pressing questions. This mirrors global findings that digital devices are now pervasive in childhood, according to studies by bodies such as UNICEF and the National Statistical Office of Thailand.

A new study highlights a striking shift in how Thai children seek information: many now lean on Google as a primary source more than guidance from their grandparents. The finding underscores the growing influence of digital technology on Thailand’s younger generation and raises questions about knowledge transmission, education, and cultural continuity.

Across Thai households, a cultural shift is unfolding. Elders—especially grandparents who share stories, herbal wisdom, and local history—have long been trusted custodians of knowledge in rural and urban families alike. With widespread smartphone use, fast internet, and digital literacy campaigns, children increasingly turn to search engines for answers. This reflects broader global patterns noted by researchers and international organizations about technology shaping childhood learning.

A recent Slate parenting column about a family’s sleepover ban on a school night has sparked a global conversation that now resonates with Thai readers. The piece highlights how one family limits overnight stays to protect homework, sleep, and a child’s nighttime routines. These concerns speak to many Thai households that strive for academic excellence while supporting healthy social development. Yet experts warn the issue is nuanced, tying together child safety, autonomy, and evolving cultural expectations in Thailand as Western practices blend with local traditions.

A recent parenting advice column in Slate has reignited global debate about family sleepover policies, a traditionally Western rite of passage now subject to renewed scrutiny among parents worldwide, including in Thailand. The column, titled “We have a totally reasonable sleepover policy. One family seems intent on breaking it,” spotlights one family’s choice to forbid school-night sleepovers for their daughter, despite social pressure and disappointment from both their child and her friends’ families. Their rationale centers on the importance of homework, adequate sleep, and their daughter’s struggles with nighttime routines—reasons likely to resonate with many Thai families navigating the challenges of academic excellence and socialization. But as new research and commentary reveal, this issue is far from straightforward, intersecting with evolving concerns about child safety, independence, and cultural expectations—topics that Thai parents are increasingly considering as Western norms and local traditions converge (Slate).

As Mother’s Day approaches, Thai families are once again looking for creative ways to honor the women who hold households together. This year, a lighthearted yet practical new guide—touted as “foolproof”—has emerged, making headlines for helping even the most gift-challenged dads choose presents that bring smiles on this meaningful day. The “Foolproof Guide to Mother’s Day Gifts,” published by Scary Mommy, is quickly gaining attention online and in parenting circles for its honest, relatable, and easy-to-follow advice.

As Mother’s Day nears, Thai households seek meaningful ways to honor the women who hold families together. A new, practical guide—described as foolproof—has captured attention online for helping even gift-challenged dads choose presents that bring genuine smiles. The guide, “Foolproof Guide to Mother’s Day Gifts,” has sparked discussion in parenting circles for its honest, relatable, and easy-to-follow suggestions.

Mother’s Day holds cultural significance in Thailand, aligning with memories of jasmine garlands and heartfelt gestures. In today’s fast-paced lives, many families find it challenging to balance work with personal moments of appreciation. The guide emphasizes that thoughtful gifts matter more than price, focusing on intent and attention to the mother’s preferences.