There's a way.

13歳のハローワーク (2003/12/02) 村上 龍 商品詳細を見る

I joined an English lesson for free conversation in the morning, and I enjoyed speaking English with other participants as usual. During the time, I introduced one book entitled 「１３歳のハローワーク」, which might be translated "Job-placements for 13-year-old" in English, sold well here in Japan several years ago. This book is aimed at children at the age of around 13 to help them find their future jobs. The author, Ryu Murakami, shows the details of many professions in this book, such as how to get particular licenses or which college to choose to take a degree for a certain job.

I can't remember exactly why I introduced this book during the lesson, but I remember talking about my daughter, who hasn't had any longing jobs yet. When I ask her about her dreams, she always replies that she hasn't come up with any ideas. Don't get me wrong, though. I don't mean to meddle. She has her own life. I perfectly understand that I should'nt stand in her way.

Having said that, I feel awkward to hear my daughter saying "I'm not interested in my future jobs." When I was a child, I really wanted to be a teacher. As I had already determined to go to a college until the age of 7, I never hesitated to choose which high school to take. My daughter is 10 years old, and the age is old enough to think about the future. Having no dreams, is it possible for us to choose the path to go through?

Oh, you don't bother to say "She is still young!" to me. I've never pushed her, of course. However, sometimes I can't understand why she isn't so interested in her future life.
"I'd like to be a singer."
"I'd like to have a cake shop."
"I want to be an actor and marry wealth!."
Whatever is welcomed, don't you think? Children live at present and in future. They are wonderful because they can desire whatever they want. It doesn't matter to make their dreams come true. The thing is, dreaming in itself is important. Every time I hear my daughter's answer, I'm wondering whether our current society fails to let children have their own dreams...