Lack of communication and substance abuse fuelling violence among youth: experts
Sunday, 30 April 2023 | Mansi Bhambri | DEHRADUN
A combination of factors like substance abuse, improper parenting and the diminishing bond between students and teachers are encouraging violence among the youth. There have been at least three incidents of violent altercations between university students in Dehradun durin a one month period. The police intervened after video clips of the altercations went viral on social media. Some students were arrested, many were booked and later the accused students were also suspended from the private universities they were studying in. Experts say that violence among the youth has become common nowadays not only in the State but across the world. Social media has a direct influence on youth, in some cases encouraging them to indulge in violence on the streets, college, clubs and such places. Improper parenting is also a major reason behind the violence among the young adults.
Neuropsychologist Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta said, “Nowadays violence is a major common issue among young adults. Anger, irritation, study stress and pressure are the factors which affect the mind of the youths. Young adults don’t know what is wrong and right. Moreover they are confused between the real and reel world. Everyone wants to become and live like a celebrity. All these factors are responsible for the increase in violence among youths. Parents not communicating well with their children is another reason behind such violence.” She further said that to prevent the violence among youths, parents should start communicating with their children. Instead of scolding them, they should act like a strong support system and keep their children away from social media. Colleges must organise stress management workshops for the students, she added.
Commenting on the violence among the youths clinical psychologist Dr Mukul Sharma said, “With the passage of time cases of violence among youths have increased in the state. Almost 70 per cent of youths indulge in bad habits like consumption of drugs and alcohol. Alcohol addiction can be the main reason of violence among the youths. Lack of communication between students and teachers is another major reason. The lack of communication causes frustration in the minds of youths and results in violence. To prevent this, the parents must communicate with their students calmly instead of pressurising them. Studies show that many students are short tempered so to prevent the violence, youths must control their temper and stay away from substance abuse,” he said.
