Culture Shock: American Mom’s Eye-Opening Return from Thailand Reveals Parenting Differences
Staff Editor American Mother Experiences Culture Shock Upon Return from Thailand
A San Francisco mother who relocated to Thailand with her one-year-old son has shared her unexpected culture shock upon returning to the United States. The experience has shed light on stark differences in community support and parenting practices between the two countries.
The journey began when the mother and her young son arrived in Loei Province, rural Northeastern Thailand. An encounter at a local 7-Eleven immediately highlighted the cultural norm of community support for parents in Thailand. A Thai woman effortlessly soothed the author’s fussy child, demonstrating a level of involvement rarely seen in the United States.
This incident set the tone for their stay in Thailand, where the author found a stark contrast to the helicopter parenting prevalent in San Francisco. The isolation often experienced by young mothers in the US was replaced by integration into a supportive expat community in Loei. A local nanny, Pa Ot, played a crucial role in their cultural integration, teaching them traditional Thai customs and language.
The supportive environment extended beyond Loei to Bangkok, where the author found it easy to make friends in a high-rise apartment complex. The presence of a nurturing community for mothers and children continued to be a defining feature of their Thai experience.
However, the return to the United States brought unexpected challenges. The author struggled to reintegrate into US culture, particularly noting the lack of community support she had grown accustomed to in Thailand. Coordinating social activities and playdates proved difficult, highlighting the individualistic nature of US society compared to the communal culture in Thailand.
This experience has led the author to reflect on the importance of community support in parenting. She now has a newfound appreciation for the Thai culture’s emphasis on communal living and realizes the true value of the adage “It takes a village” in raising a child.
The author’s journey from San Francisco to Thailand and back has not only been a geographical transition but also a profound cultural experience, offering valuable insights into different approaches to parenting and community support across cultures.
