Nurturing Children in the Age of Rapid Progress
Syed Mustafa Ahmed
The world today is often described as a global village. Borders have become meaningless, and news—and rumours—travel from one corner of the globe to another in a matter of hours.
In the past, science and technology were confined to limited hands, and ordinary people were largely unaware of new inventions. Life was simpler. Human relationships, though fewer, were genuine and straightforward.
Then came an era where face-to-face connections were replaced by relationships increasingly built on falsehood and hypocrisy. Nearly everyone has been swept away in this current, from children to the elderly. While adults, due to their life experience, may somewhat understand these double standards, one’s heart goes out to the innocent children who have become victims of this information explosion.
Beyond the sheer volume of information, young minds have been trapped by the curses of pretence and selfishness from which escape seems nearly impossible. The obsession with appearing older than one’s age, fuelled by body shaming, obscene parties, and the public display of private matters, is plunging these innocent souls into an abyss of shamelessness.
What are the reasons that have allowed this to happen—that children have been robbed of their very innocence? Some of these factors are explored below.
The Root Causes
The first and foremost reason is the erosion of the distinction between halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden). The fault does not lie with the children themselves. When the very purpose of life becomes limited to the accumulation of wealth, proper upbringing becomes impossible. Most people have forgotten the difference between right and wrong.
The greed for worldly possessions has consumed everyone; capitalism has reduced humans to animals. Children are now viewed through the lens of utility. Those deemed capable of earning are invested in, while those not yet able to earn, or those unaware of the world’s cunning ways, are discarded like trash.
The harmful effects of such thinking manifest themselves in children going astray. If a child then adopts the evils of the modern age, it should come as no surprise. The elders have already erased the line that separates truth from falsehood.
The role of upbringing cannot be overstated. Children from cultured and civilized families become guides for both themselves and society. They choose the middle path in their lives and invite others to follow it. I have personally witnessed how children from uncultured households fall prey to sin and moral deviation. I have mostly seen the misuse of mobile phones by those unfamiliar with words like decency and ethics. It is the children with poor upbringing who become victims of corruption.
The Role of Environment
Environment is another powerful force that shapes a child’s mentality. It would not be wrong to say that a child is a product of their surroundings. Social life plays the most significant role on both the external and internal levels of a child. Whatever is prevalent in society, the child replicates without question. They are not in a position to study society in depth; for them, the interactions of the people around them are real life. Even minor events in the neighbourhood leave a deep impact.
If a young person or any adult in society commits indecent acts on the internet or social media, it becomes very difficult for a child to remain unaffected, especially since we have begun to label even frivolous and obscene things as “culture.”
Furthermore, emotional immaturity fuels this storm of waywardness. A child is incapable of navigating the complexities of their feelings. The internet and its associated content exploit these raw emotions, throwing them far off the right path. The emotional rhetoric of others also significantly contributes to leading children towards destruction.
Additionally, the education system to some extent abets this derailment. Children are taught things that are of no use in practical life, save for being able to sign one’s name or read a signboard. With such a flawed system in place, it is difficult for children to become well-rounded human beings. In this system, ignorance is often awarded the beautiful title of knowledge.
A Path Forward
If we wish for our children to become beacons of light for us, we must act on some fundamental principles. The most significant role in this regard falls upon parents and elder siblings. They must offer constructive advice to children, keeping in mind their age and lack of experience. They should keep an eye on their activities but avoid excessive scolding. Chastisement should be limited to what is justified.
Teachers must also establish a relationship with students in schools that provides these innocent ones with comfort and security for the future. Instead of highlighting their mistakes, efforts should be made to correct them. They should strive to show children the proper way to live.
Children must be kept far away from the filth of social media. Learning a skill is one thing, but learning Satanism and hypocrisy in the guise of skill is quite another. Teach them the positive use of mobile phones.
Choose channels that broaden their intellectual horizons. Encourage the use of websites for learning multiple languages. Moreover, create an atmosphere of goodwill and positivity at home that will prove beneficial in the long run. Keep children away from environments where the chances of them being led astray are high.
We must all ensure that no negligence is tolerated in the upbringing of our children, preparing them for both the present and the future. Children are our tomorrow. The secret of our own progress is hidden in theirs. So let us join hands with our children and race towards that destination which awaits us with great anticipation.
(The author is a teacher)
