Bangalore: Modern Day Pressures Cause Alarming Rise in Suicides Among Kids

Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Sep 20: There was a time when children were left to do what they wanted to, like playing in the garden, mingling with neighbouring children, eating at the homes of neighbours, and attending school without the pressure to top the class. Times have changed so fast, that small children and the adolescents find it extremely hard to face the challenges that are complicated with pressure from peers and parents, and feel depressed at not being able to live life as per their own decisions and interests. This has contributed to an alarming rise in suicidal tendencies among the children of this age group in the state in general, and the capital city in particular.

Bangalore has already earned the infamy of being the suicide capital of the country, and has contributed immensely to lead the state to become No.1 in the country in terms of suicides. It has since come to light that the children contribute an appalling 22 percent out of the suicides in the state, which is above the national average of 15 to 20 percent.

While distractions and depression caused by lack of energy and motivation, apart from drug addiction has remained a major contributor to the suicides the world over among those on the threshold of adolescence, it is shocking to know that most of the children committing suicide in the state are in the age group of 12 to 14 years. Many commit suicide when studying in ninth or tenth standard, and again, Bangalore happens to be the major contributor in this segment.

In addition to family conflicts, low self esteem, a feeling of helplessness in comparison to other children who are either well off or better in studying, depression etc have been contributing to the increasing tendency among children to commit suicide. A study conducted some time back pointed out that most of those who commit suicide are in the age group of 12 to 30 years.

Drug addiction, access to internet, which not only provides the children access to more information but also to perverted activities and scenes, love affairs at an early age due to influence of movies, increasing distances between parents because of emergence of women as major players in running the family, financial pressures, lack of close friendships and relationship with family elders, bidding adieu to the practice of joint families etc, has been driving the children nuts.

Widespread use of mobile phones has also been opening up avenues for acquiring undesirable knowledge for the young children. They distract the children from studies, as more and more time is spent on chatting and playing games. Television shows which glamorise suicides by giving blow to blow account of such scenes, has also been making indelible impact on immature minds. Lack of physical exercise and hours spent before computers and mobiles have been draining out mental ability of the children, making them easy prey for suicidal tendency.

Frustration at having to attend to unending tuitions in morning and evening hours and again during summer holidays, apart from attending school, have been making the children to feel insecure. Lack of time to build closeness with family members, and shortage of time among the family members to monitor the children carefully, understand their predicaments, and affectionately counsel them, have also been worsening the situation.

Neglect at home, parents having no time to care for the children and listen to their problems with sympathy,  not allowing children to participate in the decision making process, comparing them with other bright students among others, have been major factors behind these suicides, although examination blues and love affairs, which used to be major factors behind such suicides in the past, have also been contributing to them, although to a lesser extent.