Increasing Cases of Suicides: Has Parent any Role to play

In recent time, the statistics of suicides among the students are shaken the whole education system and educationalists along with the parents very badly. India has one of the world’s highest rates of suicides among people, aged between 15 -29 years, ranged from 30 to 40 people per 100,000 [1]. There could be numerous diversified reasons can be enlisted behind this but consequences are devastating, not only to parents but to society & nation too. Some basic risk factors enlisted by psychologists [2] for suicides are as below:

• 1.       New environment
• 2.      Loss of a social network
• 3.      Loss of the safety net found at home
• 4.      Pressure academically or socially
• 5.      Isolation and alienation
• 6.      Lack of coping skills
• 7.      Difficulty adjusting to new demands of college life
• 8.      Decreased academic performance and subsequent feelings of failure
• 9.      Experimentation with drugs and alcohol

However, in present issue, I would like to discuss only a small portion of whole picture, to which, I would like to start with few questions to Indian parents?

• ·       Is there any difference between resources manager/ financier, and parent?
• ·         Does parent knows what their child is doing at given point of time?
• ·         Does parent knows how many and which kind friends, their child is nurturing?
• ·    Does parent tell their child “you are my primary concern than your achievements” before imposing their ambitions?
• ·         Does your child addicted to something & if so, how he or she manages money for it?
• ·   Besides, your set questionnaires, like how much percentages will you achieve in coming examination etc, how much time you spend daily?

Today, most of parents are very much busy in earning money and resources to their children and some of them even adopt wrong way for securing their future. Though, hardly sit for even half an hour to have words with them. In fact, everyone is doing every possible thing to secure the future of their ward, at least what parents are saying. Of course, time is changing and competitions are not only confined to the children, but are with the parents also. So, let’s explain your constraint with your child. But do explain it to them and try to establish a balance between your growth and the growth of children. However, parents have to be utmost honest while they will explain their problems to their kids, because sometime ego penetrates into the emotions in various shape & form, very silently.

In past time, since, the grand parents of the kids were also with them, so these conversations with children usually don’t break, rather stronger, which are usually not a case at present. Thus, this responsibility has ultimately come to the parent now. Moreover, keep in mind that your kid is not an object to dispense your anxiety or anger, which is absolutely your headache. It doesn't mean you don’t punish or treat the kids. The worst punishment is to avoid them, so usually avoid it. Yes, parents are not child psychologist and accordingly it can’t’ be expected to them for an arithmetically calculated treatment, but your emotional support will be cope up the negativity of your punishment. I am of opinion that rather than punishment the serious talk with the children regarding issue shall be more impact-full.

And now, the most important issue which is responsible for suicide is ambition of parents. However, imposing your ambition to kid is not a sin providing if it could be justified logically. And, before imposing your ambitions, parents must understand that every child has unique sets of talents and it is your most important responsibility to work out the skills, your child is possessing. Thereafter you can have several dialogues with child to decide what kind of field shall be the best to explore the skill of child. Another, equally important issue is, parents shouldn't focus on the results of kids but on their efforts with optimistic outlook and should always stand with results whatever it may be. Please note that if you wouldn't be optimistic with the results of your child, how you could expect the same from them. Let them realize that you (son/daughter) are most important to me than your achievements but yes, I shall be the happiest with your achievements.

The best thing is especially present time that you will have so many avenues at each turning point so never be hopeless for any unpleasant result.