Where Is The Love?
The week that was, was one of those. Two baby faced killers let a bomb loose amidst a mass of humanity celebrating a marathon. Then came the news of a 5 year old child heinously raped just a stone’s throw away from her own family. And then there were more such stories – tumbling out of the crevices that the media had sought them out of. It was one of those weeks, when you lose faith in humanity.
As I looked at the images of the Boston bombers, I was chilled by their expressions. One would expect terrorists to look intense and hypnotic – but a look at these youngsters and one saw a degree of nonchalance that was infinitely more scary. It was as if they were out to play a prank on a friend. For the two people who knew that their actions would leave people dead and grievously injured – they seemed surprisingly at ease.
And it is this ease that discomfits me the most. The Boston bombers are only the image of a multitude of other youngsters out there who do not seem to realise the value of life – or death. Increasingly crimes are being committed by younger and younger people – and guess what, the targets are getting younger too. Childhood is no longer what it was – it is now fraught with dangers and darkness.
Parenting is getting ever more challenging in this scenario – because honestly speaking how do you ever know that what you are doing is right? That what will happen tomorrow will not be a consequence of some small decision that you made for the child when she was young? I have been mulling over these questions myself over the last few days. And have not reached an answer yet – and maybe I never will. It is a tough life us parents have taken up.
My prayer remains that we as parents remember that we hold this responsibility towards ourselves, our children and community. And whatever our methods may be – that our children do learn that life is precious and has to be preserved. And my fervent wish remains that I never hear a story again which features a child as a prime suspect or victim.
Nidhi Dorairaj Bruce is a Freelance writer from Mumbai who also manages a parenting website : thechildrensdaily.net . With no formal education in Parenting, she has been getting on-the-job training ever since her daughter, affectionately referred to as ‘the kidlet’, arrived on the scene 5 years ago. You can connect with Nidhi @typewritermom , nidhibruce.com
