Overburdened innocence
CONCERN
WE MUST NOT STUFF THEM WITH AMBITION. THERE IS A LIFE TO BE LIVED BEYOND CAREER, WRITES DR. FIAZ FAZILI
Career stress among students is taking a heavy toll. More than ever before. Over the years, we have seen students, even those from prestigious schools and institutions like IITs ,and IIMs inflicting self torture for similar reasons. Events like these are reported of and on. Why is today's youth more anxious and stressed than previous generations? Why do young students inflict self harm on themselves? What can be done to solve this problem? These are becoming serious issues which need to be addressed urgently.The present education system, social norms, peer pressure, parental expectations coupled with ambitious career aspirations, difficult competitive exams, limited opportunities, not reaching the desired academic standards, the feeling of rejection and teenage relationship problems,( not feeling loved or understood) etc are multiple factors causing depression.
Stress snatches appeal from children. It's a serious issue for psychiatrists adn child specialists. According to the NASP (National Association for Suicide Prevention) everyone has different reasons for being depressed and the extent of that depression will also vary from person to person. Teens are very sensitive to the peer pressures, with lack of moral/religious education, teens quickly lose sense of belonging and easily get drifted away by satanic tricks. It is saddening to know- the worry amongst parents is alarming and the children are having a hard time. Much stress is really put on students these days? Whether the IITs or the KG class, it’s the same rat race mentality that overtakes and ultimately consumes the humane aspect of our lives.
Today’s children are being over-monitored. Children are juggling academics, sports, keeping up with their friends on Facebook and often shuttle between homes and tuitions making them risk-averse and fragile. One question which always baffles me. Do we need private tuitions even after getting our children admitted in high tuition fees schools? Many children feel overwhelmed by the expectations of their parents, teachers, and friends, and have a difficult time knowing what they should do and whom they should follow. In view of the economy being in bad shape, many children realize much money is being spent on them. Besides, the pressure to excel in examinations is becoming the source of great concern for our children. Children wake up early morning (some after late night chats on web ignoring the advice of parents to relax by few hours of sleep) most of them rush hurriedly for tuitions with empty stomachs. After heavy workload from overcrowded tuitions with no ‘breathers’ in hectic school schedules, kids are not only over burdened but mentally and physically fatigued. The children have little time to breathe out, they prefer to skip the socio –religious gatherings... don’t want their father/Dad/Pa/Aba/Mumi/Mama to taunt them about wasting time. Seems simple, huh? Peer pressure is a big issue in most schools and families. Many parents pressurize their children to become Engineers , Doctors, IAS Or IIM graduates etc . This is very wrong. Life is more than degrees and beyond Medical or Engineering professions.
Gone are the days when securing first division was a matter of pride. These days a student with 70% marks is considered an average student. Students as well as parents these days go into depression just because marks are some .01% less than the topper.We all (parents, students, teachers, policy makers, school administration, and community) are responsible for this situation, and as members of this society need to revisit our thinking. Children also should realize their responsibilities. Those students who are not serious about their career, who can’t foresee the difficulties of future have to be guided. These are cases where a slight push, a little guidance, a little more strictness on parent’s parts, a little nagging has helped the child excel in his life.
Unfortunately these days children have little tolerance towards the advices/tips from elders. Both parents and students are madly running after their goals making Shah Feasal like careerist as their ideals (at times unattainable because of the competency level of children). And failure to reach their dream destination forces them to yield surrender.
The need of the hour is to guide our children. Let them not be stuffed with ambition. Career is not all, life is bigger than that.
