Peer Faizan Bashir
Children, who are regarded to be the future nation-builders, are going astray. Gone are the times when these young buds would spend their spare time playing outdoors — hop-scotch, or even invent something to be well enjoyed, & let others partake too. These days we witness that a child who was supposed to be with his or her parents ends up using various substances which includes tobacco and in many cases banned substances, therefore putting their health at risk besides, inviting repercussions too.
I have something to narrate that will illustrate the foregoing point. A little while back, I was invited to attend the wedding of one of our relatives. And, It was on the second day of the wedding I came to witness the children doing something strange on the terrace. The ‘crawling’ children rubbing something over the hands and putting into the cigarette, and puffing it with no shivers if someone could creep. What took me aback was not the grown-ups but some aged-persons along with these children resorted to this abuse!
As someone has rightly said: “If you want to destroy a nation, destroy their children.” The same has happened, must be happening elsewhere too. And, who seems to stand against the plight! None. Parents are the only beings, who can stop the menace and refrain their children from doing obnoxious things. The following suggestive points, if taken into practice, would reduce the plight to ‘some good situation’:
1. Develop the sceptical approach towards your children. Doubt each and every action which seems dubious seemingly.
2. Smell their mouth if it stinks.
3. Make children accountable: where he or she goes; from where she or he has come.
4. Get yourself used to checking if the chum circle is worth spending time for your children with. If it isn’t, keep your child away from these, & inform parents of the other children about the same.
5. Provide with them some innocuous games so that they won’t even think of resorting to the pernicious activities.
6. Keep educating them about the downsides of these things.
Concluding it with a positive attitude the same health-deteriorated, & deviant children would find their way: what they will have to do & what not.
(The author writes regularly for “Kashmir Horizon”. Views are his own [email protected])
