MR KEN Tai's letter, 'Parents' aspirations for kids play big part' (Sept 21), claimed that most parents who prefer their children to take a break after examinations are HDB dwellers, and he concludes that lower-income parents seem to set a lower stress threshold for their children.

Unless he has a proper survey to back his suppositions, he should not rely on his experience alone to surmise that parents living in HDB flats seem to set a lower stress threshold for their children.

When parents from lower-income families ask for a break from tuition after exams, it could be because they are trying to save on tuition fees, whereas parents who live in private housing can afford to continue private tuition all year round.

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Many teenagers from lower-income families also take on vacation jobs to supplement their allowance, and so do not have time for tuition.

Hence, implying that it is the fault of lower-income parents who set low stress thresholds for their children ignores the financial realities these families may have to deal with.

While I agree with Mr Tai that academic achievement is largely driven by nurture rather than nature, I doubt that the children of professionals succeed academically because they have higher aspirations for their offspring than hawkers and cleaners.

Which parent does not aspire for his child to succeed in life?

Doctors, lawyers and engineers' children succeed academically because they can afford to pay for tuition for their children, or they can better understand and explain concepts taught in school to their children, compared to less-educated and lower-income parents.

Lastly, many of us who are highly educated and successful today grew up in humble HDB dwellings, with parents who were not doctors, lawyers or engineers.

Janice Teo (Ms)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.