A typical morning in any household probably consists of the delicious aroma of ‘adrak ki chai’ and everyone at home struggling to have the fresh and crisp newspaper first. Same is the case at our place, but I intend to do away the possibility of such a thing completely. I’ve started dreading reading the headlines these days…and why..
Last week it was this, and this week it is this! The string of disturbing news refuses to cease and I cannot help but silently pray for my son’s well-being everyday. He’s still small, but it won’t be long before he’ll be abreast with some or the other ‘situation’. How will he take it? What will I be able to do to save him from such ‘jungli’ people who’re let out in our society in the garb of learned men?
The elders in our family always told us, mornings are the best time of the day, when you’re mood and mind is fresh and delightful. I need to differ from them now. I want to break my habit of heading for the newspaper every morning, ‘se every other day it carries some or the other crime committed against women or children, which makes me shudder and go hug my son in his sleep.
What kind of people are we turning into? It is said that people who commit crimes are always instigated, provoked or are suffering from some kind of illness. When such crimes happen so frequently, and in any part of the world, does it mean that the level of ‘sane’ people is seriously dwindling?
I know running away from the situation or shutting myself off from it completely is not going to serve any purpose. But I’m scared, very scared. What kind of world are our kids going to see when they grow up? We take so many pains to teach them proper mannerisms when some b******s out there can’t even be called humans!
I’m sorry for such a digressing and accusing post. Guess it’s the paranoid Mom inside me who’s reacting very strongly.
Perhaps what needs to be changed in choice of newspaper? Many newspapers focus on crime and gore to push up circulation figures. There are many who will serve only 'newsworthy' things on page 1. Evil exists in this world and cannot be ignored. But we can take adequate precautions and rest–que sera sera. (As a mother it totally disturbs me too) But this is the only way to have peace of mind.Since I used to work for a newspaper, it makes me looks at things 'from the inside'.Cheers and have a nice day!preeti
I second Preeti 🙂 Remember my recent post on the same topic. But of course, facts don't change anyway. The atrocities dont stop.
@Preeti: I know..we can't change others or the fact that they'll do anything 'evil' at their will. The media responsibility to depict such cases in proper light rather than highlighting 'readable' stuff has already been argued about, a lot. We can do what we can in our capacity, warning and shielding our kids may be…@G: Ya I remember your post G…but you said it..facts are facts…and as much as they are disturbing, they have to be reported for us to be careful in future…I was distraught reading that piece of news in the morning..hence this..
right Varsh, there are things which are out of our control and that's how it is…we just need to alter our choices and ways to reach to the right news at the right time :)disturbing it is but at the end of the day even we put it aside and follow our routine,isn't it !
Things to get real scary as a parent. It is actually sad that all the newspapers care about it to print news that is all bad. There is a lot of good that happens..like people helping out victims of earthquakes and Tsunamis around the world..But reporting on then is so few and far between.Sad but true..
@Nu: Yes…we have to go on..no matter what!@Comfy: Exactly…its not like the world has only evils happening everywhere…some good things also happen…but no one ever cares to print them!
We can't change the media, which thrives only on sensationalism these days. But as Preeti said, we could choose a different newspaper that doesn't do this. And as mothers we should be able to put things in their proper perspective to kids — age appropriate perspective that is. Cheer up. Being a hopeless optimist, I hope things will improve in the media world by the time A junior is old enough to start asking questions!
@zephyr: It actually helps being a hopeless optimist you know..its better than being hassled and worried about what might come next…Kids must be spoken with and told about such things…very very true…they've to be given guided knowledge..and I do hope I can bring myself to answer all kinds of questions he asks when he grows up..that's the hardest part!