Crushed before they soar

When I young, I believed that the world was such a happy place. People were always together, enjoying life. Parents always made sure that we had our toys we played with. The sons were given cars and the girls played with their dolls. It was such a happy place.

Growing up, I started seeing a natural change in the world. People were brutal towards each other. Parents started fighting amongst themselves, agonizing the life of their children. The burden of having children gripped them, leaving heavy guilt carried by those who inherited traumas they never chose. Why did everything change? Did it change, or was it like that beforehand?

Suddenly, the happy childhood memories became vague. Barely remembering moments spent as a child, ready to step into the world. Thinking about attaining milestone before hitting 30- only to be struck by reality.

The world encourages the young generation to educate themselves. To be overqualified, to understand the importance of education- how it leads to success in life. However, no one tells you that education is designed to inspire ambition, but bound by a system that barely allows it to flourish.

The family that you once thought belonged to you, unexpectedly feels more home to the brothers than the sisters. You realise that the family always differed the sisters from the brothers. You are hit with memories of your young self playing with dolls. What once was innocent play now turns sour, revealing how those dolls trained us to be passive about our own lives. “Protect your sisters”, “Be home by 6 pm”, “Good girls do not go out at night with friends”- how these made young girls isolated and distant with the real world.

What is this feeling? Why is the world punishing me? I want to achieve, they promised to give me what I deserve if I possess the qualifications. Why is my gender affecting my opportunities? Why am I getting paid less for the amount of work I am putting in?

Seeing our friends moving forward while I remain still. This feels depressing! How can I help myself? Why is the world being cruel to my dreams?

I now understand my potential. I refuse to remain passive- I will defy expectations and become the overachiever I was meant to be. I carve out a world that recognizes my worth- beyond the norms. Fight against a capitalist system and make full use of my qualifications. I believe, in a world full of opportunists, there are people who will recognize my worth. I will seek the opportunities that was once self denied because of my upbringing. Be my own protector and change myself for my own good. Maybe this will make a change in this world!

Final Reflection

The world is a cruel place, full of promises that rarely match reality. Systems meant to empower us—like education—often crush our abilities, offering hope of a better future while limiting the paths to reach it. Schools too often serve profit and status, not the people they claim to support, leaving many disillusioned instead of thriving.

Parents, too, can unintentionally hold daughters back, encouraging ambition in sons while teaching girls to be compliant and cautious. This silences potential and stifles dreams. It must change. Girls deserve the same belief, encouragement, and opportunities as boys.

Society must lift everyone, not just a few. Education should equip young people with meaningful skills, not false hope. Governments and institutions must ensure learning translates into opportunity and ambition is nurtured, not stifled.

It high time for us to challenge the status quo and make a change. The world can only move forward if it invests in every individual’s potential. It is time to reject systems that hold people down, discard illusions of false hope, and create a society where dreams are attainable, talents are recognized, and everyone—regardless of gender—can rise to their full potential.

I know it is easier said than done. But if you believe in it, then realise the change comes from you. If you can change yourself, the world will change itself.