Article in THE HINDUSTAN TIMES- 22/12/2010

T.V. A SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE OR DESTRUCTION: PARENT’S CHOICE

Television has been considered as a boon, a teacher and a universal friend. The way it has made a comfortable place for itself in every society, every family and in everyone’s living room is appreciable.Surprisingly, even an 8-10 month old child can correlate a remote control to the T.V. The potential impact of T.V. is dominant in the life of our children. As the researchers say, that by the time our children reach adolescence, he or she has watched T.V. for approximately 15000 hours.

            Learning from T.V. cannot be avoided. In fact, it is said-all T.V. is educational, but the only question is – ‘’What it is teaching? ’’Besides, having its educational aspect, it is also considered an important socializing tool. A tool that can be judiciously used to help differentiate the right from the wrong. But considering the content that most channels offer today, the condition is deplorable-which suggest more of violence, brutality and low moral values.

            As far as young children are concerned, the cartoon shows constitute a major part of the T.V. programs that young children view. If we focus on the impact of cartoons, most adults consider is safe and clean. But amazingly, those timid creatures even retaliate their fellowmen in a very violent way. To our surprise, what we view with anxiety is most favorable among our little heroes.

            The surprising question is why violence is so readily acceptable to our children? The answers can be-

• They see it on the screen and also off- screen within their environment that tells them that violence is a common way of life.
• Violence especially on T.V is projected as a shortcut and an easy means to attain something.
• Lack of good role models to be identified with.
• Super heroes are portrayed in a glorified manner – whose style is through violent but is always an achiever.

            Such projections confuse the child, who yet knows very little. The impact is irresistible. But it is the duty of the parents to judiciously select the programs from their children considering the content and theme character that are polite tolerant and well behaved. Similarly, when any program depicts degrading treatment to any weaker subject – parents need to react openly in saying “it is not fair” or “I don’t like such treatment”. Such words clearly tell the child the set of Do’s and don’ts, that he needs to follow.

Children have enormous energy, which needs to be canalized .In the absence of a proper outlet; it is wasted in some destructive or futile activities. Normally, we parent keep constantly telling our children of not doing this or that, while being busy in our own work. Rather, we should guide and help children to take up hobbies or games suitable to one s’ choice and aptitude. This can help them use their energy and talent in constructive way.

              And when it comes to suggesting them to watch informative channels on T.V, we must make sure that we ourselves rise above the soapy foams that various channels blow. Let us sit with them, give them a company and the explanations which they earnestly need, at last initially. Tomorrow they might look at T.V as a source of knowledge, a curtain raiser or an aggression vending machine. The choice is yours.  

TOWARDS HEALTHY COMPETITION

Growing up in today’s world is a tedious job in itself. A competitive life starts as the child gets enrolled in the school and with that, the natural desire to score over the peers’ plays a key role.

We, the parents and the guardians, instill a spirit in the young minds to supersede all others. And that sets the snowball of competitions rolling in the child’s life. He aims to reach the pinnacle irrespective of the arena, aptitude and personal calibre.

This blind persuasion ingrained at a very early age robs the child of the pleasure of naturally exploring, growing and gradually progressing in life. As these children reach higher grades, the intensity of competitions take their toll with undesirable repercussions.  Academics and co- curricular activities are always on the driver’s seat in a student’s life. We tend to focus more on them rather than develop the personality as a whole.

Understanding this syndrome, it is essential on our part to regulate the competitive atmosphere around us so that a positive development results from the exercise. Such positive developments include simplicity and honest contribution to one’s duties. These form the intrinsic benefits of healthy competition.

Progress, both professional and personal, form an inextricable part of one’s life. However, rather than forcing ourselves to work on the benchmarks set by the others, our focus should be to on our own strengths and develop our aptitude on the same basis.

Healthy competition is a welcome sign and is needed for the society to progress. But, if the same competition leads to stress and degradation of basic values, it limits the growth opportunities. It is also to be understood that at the end of the day, intrinsic satisfaction counts much more than the extrinsic benefits amassed.

Let us put this question to ourselves and try to answer. I am sure that we shall get a positive answer which shall pave a way for better life and make us healthy citizens.

About me

I am Master’s in Child development and psychology. And have also done advanced course in guidance and counselling.  

I have intuitive understanding of human nature and her empathetic understanding instills tremendous faith and reassurance in the children, who get the counselling. I am a skilled counsellor and have helped many parents having problems with their kids.

I have done a lot of research and studied numerous cases for the effect of parental behavior on children and have gained in depth knowledge about various aspects of parenting.

I am currently working as an educator in a reputed school, which is an added advantage of handling problem kids with ease. I also take lectures and intensive training workshops in schools and organizations on various aspects like personality development, parenting, Adolescent development, child development etc.

I am actively associated with SAMADHAAN, a centre under aegis of BALA PRITAM FOUNDATION, registered trust working specifically for intellectually challed children and with children having classroom problems

I regularly write in leading local news papers and various parenting magazines.