A World of Difference

Are all kids the same? Does location and society change a person? Traveling between Ukraine and America I get a taste of how differently people live. I have friends in both places and their lives are very different. Whenever I go to either of the countries I have to adapt to how I am around my friends. It is like I enter a different world because my friends personalities, life style, education, and knowledge are all different. 

In Ukraine, kids are more prepared for future life. Girls are taught in school how to cook, sew, and be a house wife. My friends cook dinners at home so when their parents come home from work food is already on the table. They do the laundry at home, clean the house, vacuum, and wash the dishes. There’s no such thing as laziness and they don’t do all the house work for money. American kids do some of the house work but it’s because they are chores and its usually just to take out the trash or wash the dishes. They get paid for it too so it isn’t that bad either. American school systems do not teach kids how to do any of this unless you go to a school specially made for that kind of learning.  Boys also learn in school how to do yard work and how to be a handy man although in America they aren’t taught any of this. In Ukraine, the kids are expected to do all of the house work and they do not complain. Ukrainian kids are more hands on than American kids. 

  Kids in Ukraine are more appreciative of what they have than American kids. In America, all kids have cell phones. Even fourth graders now a days have cell phones and lap tops. Every house in America has at least a computer and all my friends have to have the newest IPhone, IPad, and Macbook. They ask their parents for everything and do not feel guilty. Kids have cell phones in Ukraine as well but it’s the plainest one that is used just for calling. If they scratch it or in worst case lose it then they cry because they can’t just go and get a new one. My friends in Ukraine care more about what they have and don’t ask their parents for everything. They are aware of their financial situations and try to help out, by balancing school and a job. In America kids have jobs too but they keep the money while kids in Ukraine give it to their parents. After college kids return back home because neither they nor their parents have enough money to buy or rent an apartment and the kids understand that. 

Even simply just hanging out with friends is different. American kids go to their friends house to hang out, or on the weekends they will go to the mall or the movies. In Ukraine, you don’t go to your friends house because they live in an apartment and it is too small. In Ukraine, kids usually hang out in the yard that apartments share. Apartments are set up in the shape of the border of a rectangle or square, and kids climb trees, play tag, and play hide and go, seek with in the yard. Kids make up games and have creative ideas. In America, kids are on their electronic devices and go to the park. All their games are right in front of them so they don’t use their imagination to be creative. In Ukraine, kids know all their neighbors and the latest news. Everyone is very open and truthful. When I walk on the streets, I always end up bumping into someone I know and we talk for hours. Everyone knows everything about everyone in the town while in America people only know a few neighbors and family. Kids in Ukraine have a different social life than kids in America. 

In Ukraine, kids care about what they look like. They won’t go to the store if they aren’t showered or if they aren’t wearing nice clothes. They always try to look their best and would never go to the store or school in pajama pants. In America, kids also dress up but sometimes you see kids in sweat pants and even pajama pants. Going to someones house in America you ask if you should take your shoes off or not but usually you don’t take them off. In Ukraine you would never ask someone that and just always take them off. In fact, if you don’t take your shoes off upon entering someones house then it is looked at as disrespect. 

Not all kids are the same. It depends on where they grow up and the environment they are growing up in. Different countries have different social lives and that impacts the kids life. Kids everywhere are similar because they have the same dreams: to be successful, healthy and happy. But other than that kids from different countries are very different because they have different customs and cultures. 

Words: 848