Hipsters have no freedom of expression here.

Most creative South-East Asian youths are tied down by family pressure and social taboo whereby a job in performing arts will always be inferior to business/science. I know so many great instrumentalists, singers, dancers and musicians that are literally banned to take further studies in their field; instead being forced to become engineers/doctors/businessmen. Either from parental suppression or community condescendence. This sucks. Why suppress creative inspiration? Why keep the youthful from achieving their dreams? Just because parents/the community expect one to get a certain job doesn't mean they will be good at it. Why won't they learn that performance arts is no more inferior than the usual business/science?

What's worse is that kids are taught at a young age that being famous is hard. That I agree. However they are not told that you don't have to be famous to take further studies in music/acting/dance. It's because of this that they don't WANT to take further studies in their fields. They lack the confidence. They don't believe that they can do well in their fields.

And one more thing. You don't see music/dance/acting in school. They're part of the lesser clubs. The clubs that always gets left behind. The school systems here don't have music lessons. No music scholarships. No music competitions. It's all study, study, study. Gah. They don't give a crap about the arts.

Sigh. Rant almost over. I too am being tied down right now. Honestly I wish to major in performance while minor in musical theatre studies. I think I'm pretty capable. I got to Grade 8 in 4 years. Merits and above. But NOOOOOOOOOOO. The most I'm allowed to do is to take double majors in engineering and performance. Now that sucks. I can't even approach my career counselor. I can imagine the conversation.

Me - Hi. I want to take an undergraduate course in the performing field but I'm worried I can't find any employers here after I graduate. Advice?

Counselor - *snicker* You're kidding, right? *bursts out laughing* You? An Asian wanting since and dance and play piano!? HA! I scoff.

== Kthxbye.