Evolving adolescence and changing patterns of socialisation

A teenager asking her parents to allow her to go to a disco and be out till late night is quite common these days. “I am going out with friends whom you know and like. It is a very special occasion and it would not be repeated. When others are allowed to stay out till late in the night,why not me?” she reasons with her mother.

Children learn constantly from their surroundings. A child is like wet cement: it is easy to make an impression on his mind.

In affluent families,childhood is gradually becoming shorter,thanks to mounting pressure to dress,speak and act like adults. Evidence of hurried childhood pattern includes a 10-year-old boy in designer jeans and girls of the same age adorned with jewellery and high heels.

It is essential that parents talk about the pros and cons of the situation. They should learn to say no. Transferring responsibility by throwing money is no solution to a problem.

In today’s scenario,what is the child learning? Moneymaking parents,access to pornography,moral nakedness and the like. Is this what we are sending our children to expensive educational institutions for? Adult haunts like pubs,bars and discos are being rented by students for parties.

A mother told her 15-year-old girl,‘“I think it is time to talk about sex.” She replied,“Yes mom,what do you want to know?”

This is not a naïve generation that needs to be educated on safe sex. These children are confident and confused. They need to know about handling relationships

SUGGESTIONS
* Treat the growing child’s behaviour as a challenge and not a problem
* Negative comments like “what rubbish” closes the door of communication
* Do not compensate love and quality time with high-tech gifts
* Give reasons for restrictions
* Go with your gut feeling. You know the best
* Learn to say NO to the child