In contemporary Kerala, even the most trivial disputes in educational spaces are escalating into violent altercations, sometimes culminating in murder. Should we then infer that the homes these children hail from reflect the same turbulence?

We are witnessing a generation of children who, with a mere demand, receive whatever they desire–whether it be a luxury motorcycle financed through microloans or unrestricted access to the boundless pleasures of the digital world. They conceal illicit substances beneath their tongues, defy authority with impunity, regard legal frameworks as malleable instruments of their will, and operate under the assumption that institutional actions will always bend in their favour. Have our homes become the breeding grounds for such entitlement?

The paradigm of parenting in the Gen Z era is undergoing a profound transformation. Many parents now indulge every whim of their children, validating their insolence, propelling them into ruthless competitions, and ingraining the notion that anything short of victory is unacceptable. Success is increasingly being equated solely with financial prosperity, while failure is stigmatized as incompetence. Have we normalized a parenting culture that antagonizes educators for holding children accountable? It is an undeniable truth–what is cultivated within the home inevitably flourishes within the school.

Children raised in an environment of excessive indulgence and overprotection grow into fragile individuals, perpetually dependent on external validation. They enter academic institutions and professional spheres with an inflated sense of entitlement, believing the world exists to cater to their every need. When confronted with adversity, they lack the resilience to persevere, instead succumbing to despair. The alarming surge in student suicides in Kerala, which surpassed triple digits last year, serves as a harrowing testament to this crisis.

Parents must reclaim their role as the moral compasses of their children, guiding them through the nuanced interplay of right and wrong. However, in this era of unchecked freedom, ethical boundaries are being redrawn at an alarming rate. Are parents not the ones who subtly instill the belief that what benefits me is inherently right? If so, why are we surprised when children echo this sentiment even more forcefully within their schools? The doctrine of relativism has permeated every facet of their world. Yet, some principles remain immutable–values that transcend time and circumstance. It is a parental duty to inculcate this understanding. What practices and habits are being fostered within our homes to nurture integrity, empathy, justice, and compassion in our children?

When a child reacts with defiance, is it a learned behaviour reinforced by their environment? When they derive amusement from the suffering of others, is it because their exposure to digital media has numbed their sense of empathy? The rampant consumption of explicit web series, crime thrillers, violent video games, and immersive fantasy and science fiction narratives distorts their perception of reality. The relentless inundation of such imagery erodes their reservoirs of love, kindness, and moral discernment. What alternative influences can we introduce? The “copycat syndrome” further compounds the issue, leading children into uncharted psychological terrains. When substance abuse enters the equation, this descent into an illusory world becomes complete.

Understanding the landscapes–both physical and virtual–that children navigate daily must form the cornerstone of modern parenting. The ability to engage in meaningful, rational discourse with children is no longer optional but imperative. The pressures of careers, social obligations, and material pursuits must not be allowed to fracture the parent-child bond. Children must be made to understand that digital escapism offers no real substitute for authentic human connection. Parents must draw them back from the virtual abyss, reintegrating them into familial bonds and fostering a culture of gratitude, empathy, and honesty. They must be taught that conflicts are resolved not through aggression, but through dialogue. For this to occur, our homes must become arenas of vibrant conversations and shared experiences.

It is time to revive the lost art of discipline. Corrective guidance, when rooted in love, possesses immense transformative potential. The lessons imparted by physical and emotional adversity often shape character far more profoundly than the fleeting gratification of indulgence. The greatest gift a parent can bestow upon their child is the lived example that love is not merely an emotion, but a profound responsibility.