The system of imparting education has undergone a massive shift over the course of time. Be it structured learning or home schooling, we have witnessed an unprecedented wave of change. Children, grow up with traits that are nurtured over the course of their development. They look up to their parents as a point of reference where they are inculturated with ethos, discipline and moral instruction. But the question lies in the fact that, ‘How do they mirror these ethics in an adulterated setup’? As professionals closely associated with child development and their wellbeing, struggle to come to terms with child abuse, trafficking, incest et al, their efforts in bridging the gap purposefully does have a far reaching impact.
As parents and educators, we have come of age to believe that our own upbringing for eons, of not ‘sparing the rod,’ does go a long way in instilling discipline and fear in children to the extent that they become emotionally dependent for their needs; which when inappropriately met, creates a road block in relationships in advanced years. There is an urgency, in our defused society, to project our offsprings as a spitting image of our imagined thoughts that went unfulfilled in our previous roles.
“It’s narcissistic to think that we can raise another being when we haven’t raised ourselves’’ says Dr Shefali. In this bedlam, children grow up leading dissatisfied lives trying to comply with the coercive measures. When was the last time, we encouraged a ‘difficult conversation’ with regard to our children’s innermost feelings and thoughts? We deprive them of their childhood bliss long before they are even capable of making independent choices, let alone having to deal with the aftermath of these consequences.
In the prime of their teens, they are seen juggling a fine line between independence and privacy. The Internet becomes a portal to air their grievances and seek alternative recourse to quell their repressed longings. In the throes of their youth, they discover that in fulfilling other’s needs, their individuality was at stake. Leaving them to feel vulnerable, by having to instantly try and fail miserably in the eyes of society can help us understand better the underlying truths. An attentive ear, without being judgmental, goes a long way in perpetuating a healthy dialogue between child and adult. ‘Unmediated’ communication devoid of the electronic medium can certainly bridge the gap.
Children in the younger age bracket, respond almost instinctively to kindness, empathy and instruction. In their deepest sentiments, they don’t withhold deep seated resentments and thus are prompt in reciprocating their loyalty recognising their shortcomings without any seed of doubt. And thus in cessation, the most gratifying gift I grew up to receive in my calling in life was, “I love you teacher,” which warmed the cockles of my heart, having thus realised that nurturing young minds profoundly undertakes a series of unlearning and relearning to keep abreast with the current times. If we exert all efforts in finding that perfect remedy, we would be bereft and delusional in our quest. Instead take a hand, hold a heart and unceasingly, firmly embrace the vicissitudes of life.
