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PARENTING IN THE AGE OF ANXIETY: Raising Children in India in the 21st Century
Over the past decade, Indian society has experienced a significant increase in rates of depression, self-harm, and anxiety disorders among children and young adults. This increase coincides with massive changes in our lifestyles, family structures, our approach to pedagogy, and expectations from the school system. In addition, our society has become intensely consumer- (and consumption-) driven with a proliferation of attractive products, enticing guarantees, and specialist advice. But social media follower counts, expensive digital devices, and the deluge of information on the internet will never be adequate replacements for active and present parenting. In Parenting in the Age of Anxiety , innovative educationist Abha Adams explores the journey that parents, children, and educators take together over the first eighteen years of a child’s life.
In the first chapter, ‘Parenting Is for Life’, she explores the various ups and downs parents encounter as they start their parenting journey in a world that is highly competitive with a bewildering array of options for every stage and activity. The second chapter, ‘Welcome to the Tween Years’, looks at a recent phenomenon that has left parents and children perturbed—kids growing older younger/faster, where children reach puberty earlier than in the past. ‘The Teen Years’ attempts to demystify these years and offers counsel to parents on how to communicate with their teenaged children and deal with teenage angst. ‘Bridge to Inclusion’ challenges the invisibility forced by society on differently-abled children and their parents, and offers suggestions on how the struggles, needs, and desires of these children ought to be tackled. The last chapter, ‘The Silence around the Mental Health of Our Children’ provides a helpful guide to supporting children at a time of unprecedented levels of stress and isolation stemming from device and internet addiction and the lack of meaningful connection and communication, which has only been exacerbated by the interruptions and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Full of insightful observations from family therapists, child psychologists, teachers, parents, and children growing up in twentyfirst- century India, this book takes a deep look at the most important issues troubling children and parents today and offers practical and compassionate advice on how these should be dealt with. Most importantly, it provides a blueprint for how children can grow up happy, resilient, and grounded in a rapidly changing world.
In the first chapter, ‘Parenting Is for Life’, she explores the various ups and downs parents encounter as they start their parenting journey in a world that is highly competitive with a bewildering array of options for every stage and activity. The second chapter, ‘Welcome to the Tween Years’, looks at a recent phenomenon that has left parents and children perturbed—kids growing older younger/faster, where children reach puberty earlier than in the past. ‘The Teen Years’ attempts to demystify these years and offers counsel to parents on how to communicate with their teenaged children and deal with teenage angst. ‘Bridge to Inclusion’ challenges the invisibility forced by society on differently-abled children and their parents, and offers suggestions on how the struggles, needs, and desires of these children ought to be tackled. The last chapter, ‘The Silence around the Mental Health of Our Children’ provides a helpful guide to supporting children at a time of unprecedented levels of stress and isolation stemming from device and internet addiction and the lack of meaningful connection and communication, which has only been exacerbated by the interruptions and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Full of insightful observations from family therapists, child psychologists, teachers, parents, and children growing up in twentyfirst- century India, this book takes a deep look at the most important issues troubling children and parents today and offers practical and compassionate advice on how these should be dealt with. Most importantly, it provides a blueprint for how children can grow up happy, resilient, and grounded in a rapidly changing world.
221 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2022
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January 4, 2023
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them”.
The aspect of parenting has become a hotly debated and poignant issue as it involves giving fruition to a new life.
However, the advent of the lightning-fast 21st Century has brought forth a host of challenges and major ones being technological infusion in our lives, depression, mental health, etc.
The 212 pages long book at hand tends to be a practical answer to all the questions of parents. Further, the book has been divided into 5 chapters and from the same, it is important to see whether a broader view was taken by the author which happens to be the case here owing to the author’s existing qualifications and the arrangement of chapters which broadly cover- Initial phases, transformation, mental health, etc. All the mentioned aspects are accorded due attention throughout the book.
The book’s writing style has been kept simple, easy to understand most importantly relevant as the dynamic age warrants dynamic parenting which tends to remain the book’s essence.
Thus, in light of the above-stated aspects, the book can easily be termed as a must-read for anyone willing to explore the truer tenets of parenting or for anyone willing to go for a poignant read.
The aspect of parenting has become a hotly debated and poignant issue as it involves giving fruition to a new life.
However, the advent of the lightning-fast 21st Century has brought forth a host of challenges and major ones being technological infusion in our lives, depression, mental health, etc.
The 212 pages long book at hand tends to be a practical answer to all the questions of parents. Further, the book has been divided into 5 chapters and from the same, it is important to see whether a broader view was taken by the author which happens to be the case here owing to the author’s existing qualifications and the arrangement of chapters which broadly cover- Initial phases, transformation, mental health, etc. All the mentioned aspects are accorded due attention throughout the book.
The book’s writing style has been kept simple, easy to understand most importantly relevant as the dynamic age warrants dynamic parenting which tends to remain the book’s essence.
Thus, in light of the above-stated aspects, the book can easily be termed as a must-read for anyone willing to explore the truer tenets of parenting or for anyone willing to go for a poignant read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review