Thursday, 16 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Parents should display a supportive attitude in order to help their children cope with the stress and shame that may arise from them not achieving satisfactory marks in board examinations, the experts said. The recently announced results for ICSE and CBSE Class X and Class XII examinations have disappointed many students who have not succeeded to rise up to their or their parents’ expectations. Considering this, the experts said that the period after the board examination result announcement is a critical time for children and urged the parents to be fully supportive to them.
A CBSE counsellor as well as clinical neuropsychologist Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta said that the practice of some parents comparing their children, especially those who scored lower marks, with the toppers is a distressing trend. “Such comparison and criticism may lead to depression, anxiety and even suicidal tendencies among children. Instead of demoralising them further, they should motivate them to move forward. This is indeed a critical time for the children who have failed to achieve what was expected of them. They tend to become exceedingly sensitive and what they need then is wholehearted support and encouragement from their parents,” she added.
A Doon-based clinical psychologist Dr Pratibha Sharma said that she encounters increasing cases of parents shoving their children towards depression by indulging in the dangerous game of comparison and criticism, post-exam result announcement. “They must refrain from this and being supportive, must inspire them to start afresh for the future, forgetting what has happened in the past. This will help the children shed their shame and get reinvigorated to take on new challenges in life,” she added.
