The biggest problem for the youth of today, according to counsellors and researchers, is that they are so engrossed in technology these days.
WHAT KIDS OF TODAY LACK:
The key to a happy life is healthy problem-solving skills, which are formed during childhood, and early adulthood, according to researchers.
What the current generation lacks is exactly these problem-solving skills, which can only be learnt by reading books, interactions with siblings and people/kids their age, neighbours and friends, and spending time with HUMANS rather than MACHINES.
Children of today, sadly, are not even seen at school functions or weddings, as they would rather spend time at home and work on their own ‘projects’, whatever those are.
The change in their educational systems, to an extent, is also a main problem. Controlled atmospheres, uniforms and not ruining your uniforms or school reputations is why there is absolutely no space for life skills anymore.
BLAME THE PARENTS?
To a large extent, researchers blame parents for these poor life skills of children, as they are OVER-PROTECTED at home and are not exposed to the problems of the REAL WORLD.
“The core becomes weak at the outset,” claims Malini Menon, Chaithram Emotional Support Center. “They are not a happy generation, and grow up without ever having to take ‘NO’ as an answer. Parents give them everything the instant they ask for it, and all their lives they’re used to it. At the first sign of friction-be it with a partner, colleague or a difficult boss, even a mother-in-law, they rebel or break down.”
LACK OF LOVE/AFFECTION AND BROKEN HOMES:
However, even the lack of love and attention from family could lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.
A broken home is always the most common factor when children walk in for counselling. It’s not always divorced parents, but a lack of love, trust and faith between the parents, and issues between the parent and the child. All of this is reflected in the child later.
FAKE LOVE FROM TECHNOLOGY:
For a huge fraction of youngsters these days, happiness is measured in terms of likes on Facebook, and scoring well in video games, etc. Dependence on all these social mediums is as serious as a drug addiction, and sometimes may lead to violent aggression. Social media also gives a chance to people to vent out their feelings, and connect with others, which is not entirely bad, so it does have its benefits.
BREAKING UP OVER SOCIAL MEDIA?
Stress levels among people have increased with social media use, especially kids who are at a growing stage. Cyber-bullying can be traumatic, and responses have become much more IMPULSIVE now, because they don’t need to be held in and said face to face. Relationships, for that reason, are much more stressed now.
PLAYING SPORTS WITH CHILDREN:
Parents explaining to their kids about the ill-effects of technology is certainly of no use anymore, so the only way to divert their attention is to play a sport, or find some other activity they enjoy.
PARENTS SHOULD SET EXAMPLES:
Parents should be showing their kids that they themselves, aren’t addicted to their phones, for starters. Researchers also believe that counselors should be present in every school, so that the kids know they have someone to listen to them, whenever they are experiencing a problem.
