Being a parent is an all encompassing, energy consuming emotional roller coaster.
Not only do we feel the need to have our fundas and lists (regarding innumerable dos and dont s)in place. But constant brushing up on know –hows and re- evaluating tons of stuff happens day to day. One of such is the constant exposure to all kinds of experiences and happenings via newspapers , television and the wide world of the net.
We – todays generation of parents pride ourselves to be the evolved lot who want to give our kids the “exposure” to all kinds of information and experiences. Gradually we begin sifting and scrutinizing the ‘content of experiences’.
As an aware parent I am not above hiding the newspaper to avoid my children coming across gory pics or much publicized reports carried on the cover pages of abuse or physical atrocities –read rape. In case of television viewing a curb on hours spent keeps that under check.
The coverage of the recent terror attack in Mumbai – the 24x7 news reports, live images, detailed descriptions of fatalities brought forth to the surface multiple issues all at once. The fear , uncertainity ,confusion that haunted all was compounded by images that were played over and over with repercussions multi- fold.
Written matter is informative and open to personal interpretation but images played over and over is that - it haunts you forever .Intepretations are what one sees ‘as is ‘ with no references or understanding of the issue in totality. Reactions are that too – instant, biased, full of fear and anger. In the case of a child though their experiences are complex
but their feelings and reactions are simple –black or white. So to grasp events of such proportions that are intense needs a very mature and firm handling and guidance. Constant re-assurances regards security, additional attention , repeated explanations and renewing faith in LIFE was and still is the need of the hour.
Hope… Faith – strong forces that must be safe guarded to ensure their future.
Exercising restraint on what the kids are exposed to is not molly coddling them or denying them learning and exposure. But essential to evaluate that they are exposed to stuff they are ready for at an intellectual ,emotional level. And which does not stunt or retard their growth, thinking and beliefs.
At an age and stage of life that’s meant to be fun, happy and educative having to combat fears of such propotions seem unfair.
I agree completely with this. It is important for Parents to balance exposure with limited control.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right Shilpa. I think it is time that media organisations think hard about what they are showing on television and the way news is displayed. Though I am a mediaperson, I support the curbs on the media because I seriously believe that all kinds of nonsense is masqueraded as news by newws channels in the TRP rat-race.
ReplyDeleteGood thought. Never saw it this way. Guess coz' we do not have this issue. But really worth being mulled over by the media. Yes, they too need TRPs ... but at what cost? Are they here to give us news or just make money? There is also another way of looking at this. What can we citizens do to stop the incidents from happening. Not easy but surely there can be a start.
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered how parents managed these issues. It was a little disturbing after 26/11 to see kids around playing 'terrorists, terrorists'. And more didturbing to see parents look on dotingly. There are times when I visit a friend's place and see their kids watching kiddie TV channels with violent dialogues and actions, I wonder why parents do not stop them from watching it. Do kids face a peer pressure on the kind of TV shows to watch? Is that why parents give in? As a bystander, I would agree with you completely. Curbs and controls are necessary upto an age where kids can have a better understanding of right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteSo true Shilpa,
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be no censorship, when it comes to media . And children are more likely to be exposed to media inputs, than movies(where there are ratings and censorship).
Technically, young children ,cannot possibly know the difference ,between reality and movies.Viewing movies that are violent and disturbing, can have the same impact, as actually witnessing such an event.
But it is much easier to prevent kids from watching movies, but media seems to spread its tentacles ,right into our homes.The newspaper on your coffee table for instance.
I would have loved to encourage my daughter to read the newspaper each morning. But, that is really a bad idea, with all the graphic pictures and terrible news.
So should our kids grow up without reading papers? Surely ,there a market for a child supplement to the main paper, that gives the days news, in a carefully edited way ?