Cherishing Innocence: The Changing Landscape of Childhood

June 1 is the designated International Children’s day while Universal Children’s day is on the November 20. Over 50 countries celebrate a local Children’s day on various dates and in India we do it on November 14. On this day most schools have a morning assembly where lots of programs & lots of speeches on children’s rights, well being,… etc. are delivered. Politicians also make lots of promises for the coming future!!

However, here I am contemplating on the growing years of kids today. Why do I feel that the kids are maturing at a much faster rate than what it used to be? Why do I get a feeling when I talk to kids today that the innate innocence which accentuated the beauty of a child is fading? A small poll amongst many of my friend’s highlights one such point that – kids talk like adults these days and even try to do things which they think is cool!! (Like speaking on Mobile phones, SMSing other kids,…etc.)

Let me share an old article that appeared in the newspaper long time ago…. And is one of my favorites.

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my garden. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile right back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm so I sit selfconsciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, “Hi God,! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry I don’t want to go to heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy.”

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things.

How things have changed today! And who is to be blamed?

The whole education system today has changed. There is competition on every front. Today even a 3 year old is expected to face a rigorous interview for admission to a good nursery. (Forget the fact that you have to cough up 20k-50k for the admission anyways!!) You need to be good if not the best to stand a decent footing. Kids are forced to join extra curricular classes post their school hours without regarding their interest levels. May be parents find it fancier to talk about it in their peer circle? I don’t know! There are comparisons made knowingly and sometime inadvertently. And mind you me, the kids are watching and picking up those traits. Even a 3 year old has a comparison to make between his house and his friends’, his toys vis-à-vis his friends’!!

Today I find it quite common that parents provide for their child each and every thing that was a luxury hard earned for them in their childhood days. In my days, we had to do something special or do something extra to earn a gift / toy / book. Today most kids just have to ask!! And now I find parents with unique problems too. Their kids just do not want to play out with their friends. Physical activities are on the down slide. It’s a virtual age and virtual world of gaming is what is more fascinating. And thanks to parents the kids today have the best of electronic gadgets to flaunt. There is absolutely no regard for money. Added to all this kids today do not think twice before demanding for atrocious useless stuff and most parents give in to their demands too. After all they don’t want their kids to feel let down in front of their friends. Aren’t things coming too easy for the kids? I don’t know!

All I know that all of us have trapped ourselves into this vicious cycle; coming out of it can only happen with conscious collective efforts.
I sincerely hope that we go back to the times when we can give back the innocence and the get genuine smiles to their sweet little faces…and let them just be! Minus any burdens and pressures which will get to them some day but not for now!