In my occupation working with children, I often come across many different names. It seems that over the last 30 years, people have been searching for increasingly unorthodox names for their children. Now, this would seem like forward movement when naming heirs, however, like with anything in life, people get an inch and take miles. Common names like John, Susan, Peter, Amy and Katherine have been replaced by names like Apple, Storm, Cobb, Ash, and more ethnic names like Keisha, LaQuisha, Precious, Shaniqua, DeVante, TyQuan, Jimique and Jurmoney.
This sad epidemic (to me) seems to be a direct reflection of peoples' admiration of our entertainment industry's carte blanche with kid's names, and a desire to go beyond the walls of normalcy when choosing them. Unfortunately, people don't seem to understand that working in the music, television and movie industry puts one in another world when it comes to jobs, working and money. Actor A who makes 10 to 20 million per film will typically have a trust fund set up for their child, so the child may never have to work a normal job, or submit a resume for employment. Musician B, will receive royalties from albums and songs for years to come, so their child may never have to join the general workforce. However, Citizen X who reads all the celebrity gossip rags and is besotted with celebrity goings-on, gives little thought to what they name their child, following suit to the Hollywood trend, thus dwindling chances for future employment for their offspring.
How many CEO's do you know of named Jahmal? How many billionaires or millionaires have names with prefixes like Sha, Qua, Tre, and Ty? There have been numerous studies concerning discrimination in hiring practices when choosing between candidates with traditional vs. non-traditional names. Common sense would tell one to think of these things, and give their child every advantage when it comes to their adult life, even with something as seemingly insignificant as a name. Sadly enough, the trend still continues, and we have masses of people who may be very well qualified, but their given name stops their progress from the start.
I would just like to admonish all my readers, before you start trying to keep it real when naming your child, or try to keep up with the Jonses' over in Hollywood, think of your child filling out a job application in 20 years. Think if the name you're getting ready to give your kid will help them or hinder them. I'm not saying go back to naming every child Tom, Dick, Harry, or Ann, Sarah or Margaret. I'm just asking for a second thought before going with a name that has no meaning, or that was invented in the last 30 years!
Peace, Love and Common Sense!
Just for kicks...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
LMBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete