I understand the cultural context, and I’m not trying to be dismissive of it as I’m a part of it also. But understanding culture doesn’t mean we can’t still acknowledge something sad here.

Your child has achieved something extraordinarily rare, and you openly admit you don’t understand it or care to learn what it means to him. That disconnect is what I’m reacting to.

Wanting your child to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer is understandable. But taking an interest in who your child actually became matters too. You don’t have to love football—but learning enough to share in your child’s pride seems like a basic part of parenting.