Why I Want My Daughters To Learn Empathy Rather Than Chinese — forbes.com

Since I’ve become a mother I have received all kinds of advice about what my daughters should learn in order to be successful. Computer programming. English. Chess. Ballet. Chinese. Math. Team Team sports. Music. Martial arts. I’m pregnant with my third daughter; I’m already in my seventh month, with a visible belly. Every day, when I take the overcrowded train home from work, I notice how people see me, and turn the other way. Better said, they turn to their smartphones, avoiding the pregnant woman to whom they know they should be giving their seat. Only a few people look at me in the eyes and stand up to offer their place. I don’t know if they speak Chinese, if they know about programming, or if they’re good at math.

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