Teenagers' tipple trauma

According to surveys a large number of Indian teenagers seem to heading on the wrong path. With illegal substances having created havoc in the lives of teens earlier, the latest culprit seems to be alcohol consumtion and smoking too. Consumption among teenagers in the age group of 13-19 is growing at a disturbing rate, a survey has found. The alcohol intake is seen more among teenagers in metropolitan cities due to absent parents, easy money and rising rates of stress and depression. The survey was conducted by the social development foundation (Assocham), has revealed that 45% of the teenagers in urban cities consume alcohol excessively, least five to six times in a month.

Imitating icons?
Psychiatrist Deepti Makhija feels that this generation needs to be dealt with smartly as it is vulnerable to all kinds of vices. She says, “Teenagers are getting into drinking and smoking due to factors like wanting to get into a college group or feeling that doing so is stylish, imitating their icons etc. Girls too want to be at par with boys. Not only is this stupid but for girls it can prove very hazardous as smoking can lead to infertility. The only solution to this problem is to show kids the hazards involving such practices. The reasons should appeal to their intellect as that will make an impact rather than cutting down on their pocket money or grounding them, which will only worsen the problem,” she says.

Alika Shroff, mother to a 14-year-old boy, says “It’s important to de-glorify drinking and clear it to kids that partying and drinking doesn’t go hand-in-hand. Drinking is not the key to fun. It’s important to impart right values and not force it on children like a rule.”

Keeping close tabs
Home-maker Rhea Mehra feels keeping a tab on kids’ peer groups can work. “As responsible parents it is important to know your child’s friends and keep a close eye out on their changing behavioural patterns like too many late nights, a drop in academic performance, irritability when around family — all of which are indications that need probing into.”

Mona Pathak, a 17-year-old college student, says, “Keeping a tab by parents is totally OK and if parents feel that money is being misused they can reduce the pocket money. I agree that the percentage of those drinking amongst my age is increasing but it is really on a person, whether he/she realises that consumption is not the only way to have fun.”

Jewellery designer Queenie Singh says, “I keep a very close tab on my daughter, she is not allowed to go to clubs. I only permit her to go to parties where there will be adult surveillance. Parents should ensure that after any outing children come back home instead of staying over at a friend’s place. I strongly feel that reducing kids’ pocket money will never be a solution.”