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ShareWhen the first edition of Parent Trap appeared, one of my much younger colleagues opined that now he would get to read all the masala and spice in the life of today's teens, that all the skeletons in my (and my friends') closet would come tumbling out. Today is Valentine's Day, a day that promises to throw up many surprises... and perhaps some shocks.
Amidst all the chaddi campaigns, the Senes and Senas and the politicisation of February 14, one is likely to forget that this is the day that love in today's age waits to express itself, whether it is the first stage of a crush or a full-blown romance! But, this year, looking around at the teens that criss-cross my horizon, the activity seems muted. Is it that the great economic meltdown has forced teens --perhaps on pared-down allowances -- to cut down on their phijool kharche (unnecessary expenses) -- for a few months, till the pot of gold shines bright and clear at the end of the rainbow again? Or, perhaps the kids are so busy swotting for their boards that Valentine's will come and go without a notice. Or perhaps -- a mother's fond wish -- they are too young to know about romance-shomance or hear for whom their aorta is throbbing?
Whatever the reason, closer to home and heart(h), my own pair is busy with their own lives -- and other interests. While one is pre-occupied with moots, MUNS and mugging for examinations, the other remains taken up with football and Arsenal than cards and gifts at the moment.
Interestingly, with this column making a bow in our edition in Bangalore last week, I had some immediate feedback from some readers in the Garden City, one, a mother of two teens herself, in almost the same age group and in the same combination as mine. When I asked her what her kids were doing and whether they had anything plotted for V-Day, she laughed out loud over the phone. Her voice tinkled, "They are too young to think of all that. Probably it all starts much later here in Bangalore...."
Given the difference in the culture and canvas of both the cities -- although Bengalaru too (if what I remember of my last visit there a few years ago) is now becoming hip and happening -- I would give her statement credence. Especially as she went on to add, "My son (who is incidentally 14-years-old) would rather buy a PSP or one more e-game than look at a card in a gift shop. In fact, the way he is going, I joke that my daughter-in-law will not have to contend with his affection for me, the mother-in-law, but will have to share his attention with his play-stations and games!"
I am sure (or being a diehard romantic, I hope) that when we step out on the road today, card shops, coffee shops and roadside eateries will be filled by many young couples, sharing moments of togetherness. But no matter how rose-tinted my spectacles may be, I will not hold my breath for my son to come home with a card saying, 'Mom, you are my Valentine!' He would sink to the ground in embarrassment before he thought of that now.
To end on a thoughtful perhaps, more serious note then, when exactly is it that young boys or girls start thinking about the opposite gender? When do they become aware of their own physical sexuality? And more importantly, when should they -- particularly growing girls in their pre-teens and teens or even boys -- be warned that certain touches and feels are acceptable while others are strictly a no-no? More on this, next time.
