Cypriots are famous for their love of family and of children in particular. I've taught in several places on the island and my wife is also a teacher. The children of the major cities are spoiled rotten and are (I have to say) the most unpleasant brats I have ever had the displeasure to teach. They have absolutely no respect for other cultures and have been brainwashed into thinking that they are the centre of the universe by parents that usually have left their care to cheap foreign maids and they have been destroyed by having every latest gadget there is on the market.

The children of the smaller towns and villages (thankfully the majority) are a very different story. Normally raised by yaya (grandmother) they are quite simply well-balanced, repectful and wonderful children who revell in the large (but noisy) families that raise them to be great kids. One thing I would say is that there is a culture of the average here which sounds very familiar to that which you describe in Sweden and children are not overly encouraged to excell at school by their parents (or their teachers). Having said that, their are always exceptions and for such a small island, there is an abundance of talent and drive in youth groups, music, drama and sports - but is is by no means the standard.