In today’s busy world, parenting comes with loads of new challenges, the ups and downs of the pre-teens, the teens and the post-teens. I am sure while we parents were growing up, we or our parents had no idea or differentiation between these “teen” terms. But, now as the time had rapidly fast forwarded, the age group in this category of ‘teen’ is extremely crucial.
The expectation from a young mind starts from a very early age. Parents send them to preschools, at the age as early as 2 years. The toddlers are expected to learn alphabets of languages which is not their first language of communication (mother tongue). As they grow and go to school, they are expected to already know the spelling of knowledge, expectation, profession etc.
Who is setting such expectations for the young generation, which is way tougher than what they might have to go through themselves. Well surprise !!! its US – the current drivers of the society. We want a fully functional, dedicated, brilliant mind to be proud of. Our thoughts are no longer limited to doctors, engineers, CA, police etc.. we are looking beyond – the all-rounders… we want them to master all the subjects academically, play at least 2 sports, should have extra circular activity like singing, dancing etc.
Well, I call it the CONTEMPORARY MINDSET.
This contemporary mindset of society is shaping the young minds to deal with various performance-based anxieties. The pressure to be the best is coming at the cost of depression, anxiety attacks, toxic friendships and many more to name so.
We need to understand ourselves and prioritize the mental well-being of the child first. We blame the usage of technology as the main cause of child’s stress but the truth is if we give them option to go and play in open and ones a week, we decide to play with them or talk to them – by talk I mean listen to them rather than advising them, I am sure we will be raising a healthy mind and a happy, satisfied individual.
To conclude, challenges will always be more when they grow up as to what is perceived now, why not make them strong mentally, physically and emotionally now, which will give them strength to become successful in future and of course better human being. The contemporary mind will progress with contemporary changes, approach and deliberate, continuous effort to make better future for today’s teens’ world.
RICHA BHATT
