A video posted on TikTok has sparked debate on social media by comparing childhood in Cuba with that in the United States. In the footage, several children are seen playing ball on a dirt field while the man filming comments on the scene.
“Just like in the United States. Look at the kids over there, they're like that. My grandkids over there have a tablet in hand, which makes them somewhat dazed. Look at the fun here for the kids: playing ball,” he says while focusing on the children running and batting.
The video also includes an overlaid text that states: "There will be no electricity, no food, and not many things here, but how many children living in the USA would wish to feel this freedom to go out and have fun with friends."
The images show children playing baseball outdoors, in what appears to be a residential neighborhood on the Island, with modest homes in the background and no presence of electronic devices.
The post sparked mixed reactions in the comments. Some users defended traditional upbringing and outdoor life. “The United States is the best there is, but I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything, nor the upbringing or values I was given,” wrote one internet user.
Others noted the difficulty of replicating that lifestyle outside of Cuba due to work routines. “Thank God I was raised that way. Now in the United States, I wish my child could do the same, but it’s very hard; there isn’t much time. Blessings to those who can take them to play in a park every afternoon,” commented another person.
There were also ironic comments, such as one user who suggested, “Ask everyone there if they would like to meet Mickey Mouse,” referring to leisure opportunities in the United States.
The video once again brings to the forefront a frequent debate among emigrants and residents on the Island regarding the differences in childhood, access to technology, and material conditions, amidst an economic crisis that continues to impact many Cuban families with power outages and food shortages.
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