There is a huge uproar going on in Kolkata over the suicide of a 13 year old school boy. The suicide happened after the boy was caned by his teachers at school. Everyone is after the school administration for practicing corporal punishments.
Call me insensitive, but, I would like to look at this incidence from a different angle. It is not corporal punishment which bothers me. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of this practice as I don't think it creates a positive learning environment. All I am saying is that it is not a deal big enough to die for.
I know it is a punishment that has been practiced for decades. The first paragraph of "Swami and Friends" by R. K. Narayan mentions the headmaster with his cane! When we were in school only few years ago, we have been caned at school. I know a friend who took transfer of school because of caning. But never would anyone of us think about taking our own lives for things like these!
What has changed that had not changed from R. K. Narayan's time through our time in school that has suddenly changed for the kids today? Are the kids these days too soft? Kids commit suicide because they flunked their exams. As a nation, are we raising our kids too pampered? Have we stopped teaching our kids to appreciate the value of their lives? If people can attempt suicide because of such trivial issues, then I am sorry to say, they probably deserve to die. And as a nation we would continue to be physical and mental weaklings.
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Yeah, I am not sure how I feel about this issue either. There might also be things that were going on at the boy's home, stuff that just hasn't cropped up yet. Or with his friends or relatives. Some abuse thing that is really well-hidden. I am not sure that they school alone can be blamed.
I quite agree. The best of schools - especially convents - have always used this method of disciplining students. I too refuse to believe that things have changed so drastically for today's kids. Surely there were other factors in this case that are not being highlighted.
Around 2-3 years back, even my school was in the news for something similar. A child was believed to use a lot of swear words, so the headmaster said to him that he will burn his tongue if he swears again. The kid's family went to the media, and it became a horror for the school for absolutely no reason.
Some people are just strange in thought!
Hmmm, I am sure there is more to it than just corporal punishment...
But I have also seen that the kids today have had it more easy than before and the relative abundance of things have made them take things for granted...I speak from personal experiences...
'' If people can attempt suicide because of such trivial issues, then I am sorry to say, they probably deserve to die.''
- oh dear....this is very alarming....just because perhaps you and a whole heap of other children can close their heart mind and senses to live through physical violence...does not mean that the one child that could not...is a weakling....
some people are more sensitive than others....children these days are smarter and yes more emotionally sensitive than those even a decade ago...it is the process of evolution......
a person attempts to take his/her own life...when there is no other choice available to them.....than kill themselves....given the basic human need is for survival...it is unimaginable what mental state of being cornered this little fellow must have been in...perhaps with parents at home..who would think that he is ''weak''....yes there has to be a history of a lack of support for this child....god rest his soul in peace...
i would like to read your pov....once you are a parent ....it opens our heart, mostly and makes us ''softer''..as it were...more compassionate....
Relevant thought Shubho....but harsh..in today's world the pressure is really enormous ... also the times have chaged...from yours and mine...the point that "kuch kar lenge" is not an acceptable feature now...and the BMW at 26 is a demand the kids grow with and not a dream...the thing called 2nd best is becoming a lost phrase ...you just have to look at the 15 -16 year olds they are a ambitious lot now a days...and while mediocrity is out on a vacation the exceptional has taken over the world...it is more or less a lost cause my friend..exceptional meeting sensational is the word out in the street
True that, Aro, true that. Enormous pressure I agree...and "exceptional meets sensational"..
And we spoil them too, thus their "care not" attitude towards certain things...I see that with my niece, before she asks for it I have it for her; and in the abundance of things, she takes somethings for granted at times...
@Sayan10e
Hmm... may be.
@RB
I know how that works. It has happened to my college when I was studying there.
@Jas
Perhaps they have it too easy.
@Jyoti
Evolution!?! In a decade?
I know my words are harsh; but I sure hope my POV don't change when I am a father. I would like to take lessons from our mythology - weakness is when we love someone too much and don't see their faults!
@Aro
True; but is that what life is all about?
I agree with you on the point that kids should be taught the value of their lives. After all, they should never forget( and neither should anyone else thinking of committing suicide), that when they die, they become free, but they leave their parents and loved ones behind to suffer. So,the people who commit suicide are just thoughtless.
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