Yes, in the world of insta, reels, advertisements and movies, the influence of parents on their children is going away. Children, especially the teens are hardly seen with their elders and not even on the dining table once a day. Parents on their part go out all the way to provide more than comfortable environment for their kids.
Separate rooms, trendy clothings, smart phones, pocket money and fine dining have all made the youngsters think that they are entitled to these perks and their parents have to give them all these because they brought them into this world. The school goers are no different than their elder brothers and sisters. They ape them and also their young moms and dads who too fancy swanky life style. The disposable incomes are raising with both the parents are working and extrvagent spending of parents catches up with their children.
Do we blame the parents when the kids go astray and pick up habits and talks that are detrimental to their intellects and social behaviour? The blame is always on the children. If there are family or social gatherings, teenagers stand aloof and out of place. The grand parents look sad because neither they nor the parents are unable to get the children to be a part of any festival or weddings.
The malaise of both children and parents ignoring what is good for them is seen not only with affluent families but also with those who just earn to live on. Their children have different challenges as they try to aspire for what they see on the movies and phones. Their parents always quarrel and do not spend time with them. They see their affluent neighbours and yearn to live like them. They become angry and frustrated. They pick up bad habits and turn rebellions.
Parents, please come out of your own world. Be kind and converse with your wards. Create an atmosphere at home where they freely discuss their issues. Be a listener. There are 100s of things that impact their education and thoughts. We don’t have to be watch dogs but be attentive to what they do and speak with their friends.
Today parenting is on high alert than what it used to be with our parents decades ago. High end phones, make-up kits, costly clothings and expensive holidays do not always help to get the children to be responsible. The more the exposure the more is the damage to their education and careers.
Gen Z has grown up in a digital world and the impact is seen in the way they appear both inwardly and outwardly. They are setting up an example for the next generation and we, the parents, better wake up.
THE PULSE by Sivakumar Gopal 