|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
by Umangi de Mel
Maria Bernadine (21) was a familian. The busy merchandiser that she is, says working is a passion adding boldly that she works as much as possible. A keen writer whose world is shades of purple, says her favourite movie is `Romeo and Juliet' (the old version) and her favourite song is Patty Smith's `Sometimes love just ain't enough'. Declaring her love for her dog and six cats, she says that she may not be perfectly wise, perfectly witty or perfectly wonderful but always is perfectly herself. Discussing their love and loathes, hurling comments at each other, the two best friends share their ideas about contemporary parents being flexible with their offspring, even to the extent of `discussing sex'. "Parents should be approachable by their children; that way children are also approachable by parents which could solve a lot of present day issues," says Ahimsa. "Society moves fast, things change, nothing stays the same. Traditions or rather norms should change. If we want to keep pace with the world ideas should also change. Things considered taboo in the past, aren't taboo any more. It's good if parents could be more supportive with their children. Yet most of the parents are OK with their children compared to those days. Children are exposed to many things that supply heaps of information on a number of so called `taboo' topics. Parents should ease up a bit. In brief, children should be able to talk to their elders about sex. They have a right to know and it's only fair, 'cause they could go to any extent to dig out information, if not educated properly and fall into hot water. They deserve access to correct info from a reliable source. There is no closer relationship as `parent-child' relationship. It's better if we could talk it over with our parents rather than go to an outside source who'd not be so trustworthy." "In recent years, parents have been more open minded and less traditional," says Maria. "In my days, parents were conventional, discussions about sex were taboo. Today parents have become more flexible and are approachable by their offspring. Anyway, youngsters are more exposed than before. Parties, dates, shows and many other things.. In these circumstances, parents have to be flexible. More or less `forced' to be flexible with their children.
When a child doesn't see this happening at home, it bothers them. They tend to go looking for comfort outside home. But at times, parents go a bit overboard. Being flexible with the child doesn't mean giving total freedom and yield to their demands. Parents should draw the lines at the same time. After all, they have the right to know right their child's whereabouts and who he associates with. Parents should educate kids about sex". |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
Twenty-one-year-old Ahimsa Hasith Silva is an amiable arian who savours
life with a big grin and a trap that is equal in size. Studying for his
BSc degree in IT at SLIIT, he says he will be in the Land of the Kangaroos
in no time. (i.e. to do his higher studies of course!) The all-smiley
Peterite is a member of `Ad lib', a popular band and says that his
favourite song is `All out of love' by Air Supply. A funny, very punctual
(ahem) Ahimsa says that he loves bugging his friends and cherishes his
parents.
Hence, parents tend to make children aware of how to move around in
society. Tradition has died. People closely move around with the opposite
sex. If parents don't open up and be more supportive, children tend to go
beyond their wishes. In my case, I've been to the extreme of being
mischievous. It's a risk people take. If we are able to have a closer
relationship with our parents, it's healthy for both parties. In the
process, parents get to know their children better. The closeness is
mutual and parents can try to help kids, emotionally.
