Navigating parental expectations and identity struggles: A literary analysis of child psychology in South Asian Narratives

Arora, Pooja and Bose, Bidyut (2025) Navigating parental expectations and identity struggles: A literary analysis of child psychology in South Asian Narratives. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 14 (3). pp. 776-782. ISSN 2582-8185

This research critically examines the intersection of parental expectations and identity struggles in South Asian literature, revealing how rigid cultural norms and familial pressures shape childhood psychology. Through the works of authors like Samit Basu, the study interrogates the psychological and emotional costs of conforming to societal ideals, particularly the tension between individual aspirations and collective familial duty. These narratives expose the pervasive influence of cultural traditions, often rooted in colonial histories and economic ambitions, which enforce conformity at the expense of personal autonomy. Employing psychoanalytic frameworks, such as Freuds concept of repression and Eriksons stages of identity development, the analysis uncovers how children internalize societal expectations, leading to the formation of a false self. This suppression of authentic identity results in emotional conflicts, achievement anxiety, and a fractured sense of self. The study critiques the deterministic nature of these familial structures, arguing that they perpetuate cycles of psychological distress, particularly in postcolonial contexts where historical trauma and migration further complicate identity formation. However, the research also highlights acts of resistance and resilience. Drawing on Frantz Fanons postcolonial theories and Judith Butlers concept of performativity, it reveals how young protagonists subvert oppressive norms through storytelling, self-expression, and subtle defiance. These acts, though often constrained by systemic forces, challenge narratives of victimhood and underscore the agency of children in reclaiming their identities. Ultimately, the study critiques the dominant parenting ideologies depicted in South Asian literature, arguing that they reflect broader societal failures to balance cultural heritage with individual autonomy. It calls for a reimagining of childhood that prioritizes emotional well-being over rigid conformity, emphasizing the need for systemic change to support healthier identity formation. By integrating literary analysis with psychological and postcolonial theories, this research critiques existing norms and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of childhood in South Asian contexts.