Mind your attitude

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Teens and pre-teens these days, especially in big cities, are clear about their career, relationships, hobbies and priorities. While psychologists laud this assertiveness, empowerment and clarity of mind, they also warn that the negatives of such crystalline thinking include high risk-taking tendencies, not giving two hoots about others’ feelings, rebelliousness and authoritative conduct.

But then this kind of behaviour is a part and parcel of growing up years. So what exactly is so alarming about it? Dr Jitendra Nagpal suggests we keep a few prime points in mind to understand this. “Rights and responsibilities are getting divorced from each other. It is appalling, especially in teens. Secondly, styles of urban parenting are departing from consistent and consensual regulation of teen years. Thirdly, positive valuebased role models are becoming extinct species,” he adds
Narcissism and risk-taking tendencies are among the things that have a strong grip on youth today. Also the haste to experiment, rise of peer group and insufficient vision for the repercussions contribute to their stubborn attitude.
Dr Rajat Mitra brings in a crucial point here and says that the empathetic quotient among teens is on a decline which in turn leaves a negative impact on their intelligence. “Today teenagers are taking risks more than ever before. They clearly lack long-term vision. They have become impulsive and they don’t even listen to their parents. Money and Internet have only added to their woes. In this process, human emotions have taken a backseat making them selfish and less empathetic towards others.” He adds that outburst of excessive information, exposure and weakening of parental bonds have also led to this warped approach.
“Teens need to be told that the Internet can tell you how to do a certain thing, but it can never give you the wisdom to deal with situations. They should be informed about the difference between information and intelligence by their parents or people they confide in and listen to,” he says.
Teenagers are known to desire independent and believe they are always right. They might have a tunnel vision, but they never fail to believe that whatever they do is right. Neha Sharma, co-ordinator with Amity International, says that parents are to be blamed for this irresponsible behaviour. “Parents don’t give quality time to their wards and then substitute care with expensive gifts and handsome pocket-money. Money gives them power and they start taking their parents as well as others for granted. So, in a way they are empowered and sorted out in the head, but when you look at the larger picture, their personality in incomplete. Their decision-making is flawed.”