Parents cite reasons for pressurising kids (City Express-The New Indian Express, July 8, 200)

At an interactive session organised to discuss the issue of parental pressure on children in Bangalore on Thursday- "If parents are forcing kids on what to be"-the reaction of the audience was anything but unanimous.

Organised by Oxford Bookstore & Mattel Toys in collaboration with Radio City, the session hosted by Radio City RJ Vasanthi Hariprakash, threw up questions on whether parents were pushing too much burden on children and robbing them off their childhood by making them concentrate only on studies.

A number of parents, especially mothers turned up along with their children at the session.Some parents honestly confessed that they do force their children to focus on the career chosen by their elder siblings ignoring the interest of the younger one.

Sabira, a children's coordinator said,"Though my daughter fares well in other activities, apart from studies,I would like to push her a bit so that she excels in everything she does."

When the audience were faced with a question as to whether the children do have a right to "not to do anything", pat came a reply from a woman sitting with her little daughter, "In today's world of tough competition you cannot allow your child to do that.Children love to laze around but as concerned parents we can't let them waste their time."

Another mother was heard saying, "We want the best for them and hence we want them to get exposed to everything right from now so that they can face the world boldly in future."

When it appeared that the discussion was proceeding in a single direction, Leela, a mother said,"Parents are no more the same;they should thrust their opinion and decision on their children.They cannot force them to do anything or everything."

As if to support Leela's argument Trishaala said,"My parents want me to be something in life. But they never force me saying that I should go for engineering or medical studies."

However when the parents were asked whether they forced their children to attend summer camps, the reply came from the children in chorus, "We love summer camps."

The two hour session drew to a close with a dance performance by years old Veda V Bhatt & a magic show by 11 year old conjuror Karun Krishna who enthralled the audience with his sleight of hand.

Monalisa Biswas,

Bangalore