No Age of Innocence

Some days ago when I overheard a conversation in the local market, something inside me asked a question. Is the age of innocence really over? Is humanity and compassion of no value any more? Does money talk all the time? Does one always need to have money in his pocket to be able to show his worth? It is truly disheartening to see that the world is heading towards a black hole which lacks innocence, values, and virtues.

Nowadays most children lash out at their parents if their demands are not granted. They throw tantrums all the time and it seems as if their demands are never-ending. It’s understandable that peer pressure is a major cause of such behavior, however, parents also willingly agree. Moreover, this attributes to a great extent to parents’ affordability and that they cannot devote much time for the children. Further, a recent survey revealed that 70% of 13-18 year olds agree to deceit to attain success. If this is where the value system has reached, how is one going to cultivate morality in their child? What has happened to the current generation? Where are the kids who used to be happy playing ludo, carom, chess, monopoly, scrabble and other simple and family board games? Even dolls are not liked by little girls these days. Everyone wants to play with complicated and expensive games. I remember we used to play gulli-danda, pittuk, hide& seek, dark-room and other similar local games, hurt ourselves and be blissful. Why are such games unheard of today? Thankfully atleast, some local kids play simple versions of badminton and cricket on the streets and parks instead of spending that time with the computer, TV or video games. Moreover, friendship has become more virtual that real. Greeting cards are hardly bought, leave alone drawn and painted by the children. And then again I was quite taken aback to come across a children’s salon in one of the malls. It looked more fashionable that an adult’s salon. Are these kids made of a different matter altogether?

Truly the society has metamorphosed greatly. This is evident in the advertisements and commercials. The products, the attitudes, the expressions tell us that simplicity and innocence are passé. One can only survive if one changes oneself in thought, word and deed. Also the current songs, movies, TV serials portray a similar picture. Brands are the need of the hour-- for adults and children alike. Aggression, rudeness, impolite behaviour, arrogance, intolerance, impatience, dishonesty, etc. are the current behavioural traits. Perhaps that’s why we hear of road rage, serial killers, frequent mass shoot-outs of innocent people, kidnapping by children etc. everyday. Cheating, killing, and robbing are commonplace nowadays. People are ready to boast at the drop of a hat. And none bats an eyelid when they observe a misdeed. Every negative action seems to be acceptable in today’s world.   

Who is to blame for all this? Why has it come to this? Is this how we intended to see our future evolve? I feel there’s still time and scope to change for the better and correct ourselves if we pay attention, think positively and understand the dent that we’re making in the society at large. This is my appeal to all to continue the good work of cleansing our culture, and to help bring back those who have moved away from the right path.