In an ill-advised bid to create a record, parents of an eight-year-old in Chennai insisted the child drive a car at 125 kms an hour. An extreme case yes, but it is indicative of an alarming nascent trend with parents — prodding progeny to turn prodigy. An academic topper is so last generation — now parents want (their kids) to have it all.
Sports, tuitions, computer classes, dance, martial arts, mental math competitions — parents pile on the extra-curricular activities with a ‘what does not break you will only make you stronger’ attitude. “There are more opportunities available today. Earlier parents would dissuade their kids from extra curricular activities. But times have changed and kids are expected to do it all,” observes Dr Hyma Moorty, a teacher at Gitanjali Senior School.
In doing it all though, the kids’ are being spread thin. “Attending several tutorials and also juggling other activities puts too much pressure on them,” says Phani Kumar, a geography teacher, adding, “Besides tuitions can reduce concentration at school.”
Youngsters feel the brunt of parental pressure. “I often hear my parents praising a friend’s child, who is good at a lot of things. Thankfully they don’t force me to take up things of their choice as I won’t be able to give it my 100 per cent,” says Neelasha Nemani, a class XI student.
Though they’re not ecstatic about being moulded into ‘all-rounders’ they’re matter-of-fact about the training needed to face a competitive world. “With the stiff competition that we have to face, parents are concerned that we may be left behind in the rat race. So they want us to take up as many courses as possible. This also means we need to manage our time better,” reasons Sahari Cherukuri, a high school student.
Murtaza Chass, a 15-year-old, agrees that being forced into something can put undue pressure, “It is tough paying attention to your needs and your parents’ too. We have to live up to their expectations.”
While encouragement can yield results, too much can be detrimental. Dr Kalyan Chakravarty, child psychiatrist at Rainbow Hospital cites a recent case, “A six-year-old was being taught horse riding at his school when he fell and hurt his head. Though the child is still on medication, his parents are concerned that a break from the activity would mean he might discontinue it for good. So, they insist he continues.” The fall out, says Dr Chakravarty, is that the child might only do things half-heartedly. “Either that or, kids won’t be able to excel in anything, which defeats the purpose. Excessive pressure can also depress them.”
Sports, tuitions, computer classes, dance, martial arts, mental math competitions — parents pile on the extra-curricular activities with a ‘what does not break you will only make you stronger’ attitude. “There are more opportunities available today. Earlier parents would dissuade their kids from extra curricular activities. But times have changed and kids are expected to do it all,” observes Dr Hyma Moorty, a teacher at Gitanjali Senior School.
In doing it all though, the kids’ are being spread thin. “Attending several tutorials and also juggling other activities puts too much pressure on them,” says Phani Kumar, a geography teacher, adding, “Besides tuitions can reduce concentration at school.”
Youngsters feel the brunt of parental pressure. “I often hear my parents praising a friend’s child, who is good at a lot of things. Thankfully they don’t force me to take up things of their choice as I won’t be able to give it my 100 per cent,” says Neelasha Nemani, a class XI student.
Though they’re not ecstatic about being moulded into ‘all-rounders’ they’re matter-of-fact about the training needed to face a competitive world. “With the stiff competition that we have to face, parents are concerned that we may be left behind in the rat race. So they want us to take up as many courses as possible. This also means we need to manage our time better,” reasons Sahari Cherukuri, a high school student.
Murtaza Chass, a 15-year-old, agrees that being forced into something can put undue pressure, “It is tough paying attention to your needs and your parents’ too. We have to live up to their expectations.”
While encouragement can yield results, too much can be detrimental. Dr Kalyan Chakravarty, child psychiatrist at Rainbow Hospital cites a recent case, “A six-year-old was being taught horse riding at his school when he fell and hurt his head. Though the child is still on medication, his parents are concerned that a break from the activity would mean he might discontinue it for good. So, they insist he continues.” The fall out, says Dr Chakravarty, is that the child might only do things half-heartedly. “Either that or, kids won’t be able to excel in anything, which defeats the purpose. Excessive pressure can also depress them.”
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