ParentsWorld July 2018 Archives

Cover Story

Protecting children from the billion dollar online porn industry

With 134 million children countrywide having access to mobile phones and the Internet, there’s high probability that they are viewing inappropriate online content including porn. Decades of research has highlighted that viewing pornography is associated with anti-social outcomes, and that younger the age at which children are exposed to porn, the more deleterious the impact in terms of shaping sexual behaviour and attitudes in adulthood – Muskan Arora, Sanchea Sandeep Daniel & P. Mini Although on most social issues, post-independence India’s community of liberals who dominate the academy and media, have made significant contributions to the national development effort, especially by advocating a secular state, gender equality, and reservation of quotas for the historically oppressed scheduled castes and tribes and latterly OBCs (other backward castes/classes) in academia and government, on some issues they have got it totally wrong. One of them is in the choice of the economic development model. Ignoring the sub-continent’s five millennia-old tradition of free enterprise, in the mid-1950s they endorsed the Soviet-inspired centrally planned socialist public-sector-led development model which over the past seven decades has almost destroyed the high-potential Indian economy. The sin of adopting an inorganic ideology was compounded by high defence expenditure (the outcome of failures to resolve the Kashmir issue and negotiate a border settlement with China) which has starved the education and health sectors of investment. Currently, misguided and feeble-minded liberals who oppose the beaming of pornography over the Internet are doing the country — and India’s 600 million children and youth in particular — a great disservice. Responding to the demand of several parent groups, lawyers and social activists (including the editors of EducationWorld), in August 2015, the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre ordered all Internet service providers to block public access to 857 pornography websites. However following loud protests against “moral policing” from liberals (including best-selling simpleton author Chetan Bhagat) who seem to be unaware that over 300 million Indians are illiterate and another 500 million are at best functionally literate, the government reversed this order. But subsequently, hearing a PIL (public interest litigation) by Indore-based lawyer Kamlesh Vaswani, the Supreme Court criticised the government for failing to ban sites broadcasting child pornography. Therefore in 2017, the Union government issued an order blocking 3,522 degrading child pornography sites on the advice of Interpol and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). Even as this government order is practised more in the breach than observance, the demand of right-thinking citizens who are aware of education and social ground conditions in India is that all pornography websites should be blocked out. According to a survey released last year by pornhub.com, India is the “third most porn watching country” worldwide after the US and UK. And given the free accessibility of pornographic websites in India, there’s no guarantee that only adults are watching hardcore porn. Children and particularly teens have easy access to the Internet through digital devices such as smartphones and tablets. According to the Unicef Child Online Protection in…

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Leisure & Travel

High veldt charm of South Africa

Following the collapse of the cruel white supremacist regime in 1994, the Republic of South Africa has morphed into a liberal democratic republic offering a tourism experience unparalleled worldwide On the world leisure tourism map, the Republic of South Africa (RSA, pop. 56 million), perhaps Africa’s largest (1.2 million sq km), most geographically diverse and arguably most economically developed country with a bewildering mix of colour and culture, is the newest kid on the block. Following the collapse of the cruel white supremacist regime in 1994, RSA has metamorphosed into a liberal democratic republic and remains a perennially beautiful land with sun-drenched beaches along its 2,500 km coastline, awesome peaks and vast plains, deserts of sand and scrub and game parks and wildlife unparalleled anywhere in the world. Sharing international borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho, RSA is the only country with three capital cities — Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. The republic’s 56 million citizens include large European, Indian, and racially mixed populations, who speak 11 languages (including Afrikaans and English) and several hundred dialects. Though RSA’s climate is fairly similar to south India’s hot and sultry weather, its varied topography and oceanic influences provide a variety of climatic zones across the country. The varied landscapes include the parched desert of southern Namib, lush subtropical forests to the east, the mountainous escarpment known as the high veldt and the savannah grasslands of the north-west. Contrary to popular belief, only 1 percent of South Africa is forest, stretched along the humid coastal plain of the Indian Ocean in KwaZulu-Natal. The rest of RSA is the veldt or savannah grasslands, the natural habitat of lions, leopards, white rhinos, blue wildebeest, kudus, impalas, hyenas, hippopotamus and the giraffe. RSA also hosts many endemic species, among them the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit of the Karoo. Though contemporary South Africa has a rich tribal history and culture stretching back several thousand years, its documented history is available only from 1487, when a group of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors were washed up on the coast. In the subsequent two centuries, a number of small fishing settlements were established on the coast by the Portuguese. They were followed by the Dutch East India Company which established a trading post on the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. Soon Dutch immigrants started arriving in larger numbers and as they pushed their way inland, they met with fierce resistance from the Xhosa and Zulu people, against whom they waged the Cape Frontier Wars of the 17th century, eventually succeeding because of superior gunpowder driven weaponry. However in 1795 prompted by the British East India Company which had transformed into a political power on the Indian subcontinent, British troops subjugated the Dutch settlement on the Cape of Good Hope to protect the trade route to India. In 1803, the territory was returned to the Dutch but re-annexed in 1806 after the Dutch East India Company declared bankruptcy. Nevertheless the victorious British troops…

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School Profile

N.L. Dalmia High School, Thane, Maharashtra

Sited on a 1.21-acre campus in Thane, Mumbai, the CISCE-affiliated N.L. Dalmia High School (NLDHS, estb. 1991) has built an excellent reputation for providing holistic values-based education supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure to its 3,104 students mentored by 167 teachers. In the latest EducationWorld India School Rankings 2017-18, NLDHS is ranked among the Top 15 co-ed day schools in Mumbai and Maharashtra (pop.122 million). The school is also ranked #5 countrywide under the category of ‘extraordinary leadership’ in the EW Grand Jury Awards 2017-2018. Promoted over two decades ago by Niranjanlal Dalmia (1915-2005), a well-known industrialist-philanthropist and founder-chairman of the N.L. Dalmia Educational Society (estb. 1982) which also runs the N.L. Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research (estb. 1995), NLDHS has adopted contemporary pedagogies and IT-enabled learning to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. Inspired and driven by the school’s mission statement — “to provide and promote excellence in education” — NLDHS supplements its rigorous academic programme with a rich extra-curricular activities menu to enable all-round development of children. Seema Saini, Principal An education, economics and management alumna of Mumbai University and Xavier University, Cincinnati (USA), Seema Saini is the CEO of the N.L. Dalmia Educational Society and principal of N.L. Dalmia High School. With over 26 years of experience in teaching and administration, Saini is a nationally respected K-12 education leader who successfully led the transition of NLDHS from a Maharashtra state board to a CISCE-affiliated school in 2012. Focused on delivering child-centred holistic education, she believes in continuous professional development of teachers to enable them to deliver 21st century progressive education to students. Campus Infrastructure The school’s compact 1.21 acre campus offers state-of-the-art academic, co-curricular and sports education facilities. They include 55 well-ventilated classrooms, 70 IT-enabled learning rooms equipped with Smart Boards and wi-fi connectivity. In addition, there is an air-conditioned multimedia library housing 14,108 books and 36 journal subscriptions, and nine laboratories. A well-designed 300-seat air-conditioned auditorium, a 250-seat seminar hall, 70-seat multi-activity hall, and a 150-seat cafeteria add to the robust infrastructure of the institution. The school also boasts an amphitheatre, well-equipped art, music and dance studios, an infirmary and counseling centre with two full-time counselors. Co-curricular and Sports Education The NLDHS management is fully committed to the all-round growth and development of students, and has integrated a professionally-designed sports and performing arts (SPA) curriculum into the school timetable. The campus is equipped with modern indoor and outdoor sports facilities with experienced coaches mentoring students in several sports disciplines. Among them: playgrounds for football and cricket, basketball and volleyball courts, roller skating rink, chess and table tennis rooms and a fully-equipped gym. Facilities for billiards, swimming, lawn tennis and squash training are also provided. The school’s multi-activity hall and music studios hone students’ artistic intelligences. Admission & fees N.L. Dalmia High School is a CISCE-affiliated K-12 co-educational day school. The school admits students in March. Tuition fees (per year): Rs.59,100-66,000 For further information visit http://nldalmia.co.in Also read: 50 Leaders who can revive Indian education – Shailesh…

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10 parenting strategies to reduce children’s pandemic stress

Interview

“Don’t let parenting consume you entirely”

Sruthy Susan Ullas interviewed well-known children’s books author Sowmya Rajendran on the importance of raising empathetic, gender-sensitive children in stress-free home environments Pune-based Sowmya Rajendran is a popular children’s books writer with over 20 titles to her name. In 2015 Rajendran was awarded the Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar for Mayil Will Not Be Quiet (Tulika Books, 2015). An English literature graduate of Stella Maris College, Chennai with a Masters in gender studies from the University of Sussex, UK, she is also a journalist with The News Minute, a news website. Together with her husband Magesh Nandagopal, a scientist with CSIR (Council for Scientific & Industrial Research), she raises daughter Adhira (6), a class I student of the Vidya Valley School, Pune. What is your parenting philosophy? It’s to graduate from being vital to becoming vestigial. That is, I want my child to become less dependent on me as she grows older, until I’m no longer necessary for her to lead a happy and fulfilling life. I believe that’s what adulting is about — being responsible for your own happiness and not depending on others. I will, of course, always be there for her if and when she needs me. A journalist’s job is 24/7. How do you balance motherhood and work? My work is very important to me, and I’d go around the bend without it. I fitted my decision to become a parent into this need and not the other way around. From the start, I’ve explained to my daughter what I do and why it’s important to me. When she was three years old, I took her along with me shopping, eating out, and made sure she noticed that I was paying money for all these activities. I explained that my work earns money and happiness. Now she understands why I should have a job and is very cooperative. Better still, she’s determined to work for her living when she grows up. In fact, she just can’t fathom how princesses in fairy tales get married without first landing a job which pays for their food and shopping. Reading has taken a back-seat among nexgen children. What are you suggestions to promote the reading habit in young children? I don’t know if reading has taken a back-seat. We hear the same complaint about every generation. Our generation was allegedly not reading because of television. This generation is not reading because of gadgets and the Internet. Adults expect children to read when they themselves don’t read. They also don’t buy children the books they want to read. They’d rather buy an encyclopedia or important looking educational book. Children learn by observation, so if you want your child to read, please read yourself; and when they are young, take the time to read to them. Moreover don’t hesitate to spend money on books. Parenting has become more complex than ever before in urban India. How do you cope with its many challenges? I think parenting becomes simple when you admit…

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Parents Corner

Developing leadership qualities in children

ParentsWorld invited parents of Paul George Global School, Delhi, to share their insights on encouraging leadership qualities in children. “As a working professional, I am aware that leaders are held in high esteem, and establish themselves in this fiercely competitive world. Therefore it is important for parents to instill life skills in children. I am working on developing the leadership qualities of my five-year-old son Ainesh by establishing open channels of communication with him. As a result, Ainesh has developed self-confidence and never hesitates to speak his mind and heart. Through storytelling, we have taught him the values of empathy and discipline. Recently, we introduced a mind game with the objective of developing Ainesh’s critical thinking skills. Every evening, we play the ‘why’ game with Ainesh during which he gives reasons for simple things he does through the day.” — Santanu Mukherjee, advocate, Supreme Court of India and commercial mediator. “It’s my dream to see my child grow into a true leader, ready and willing to take on challenges. Therefore, I encourage my six-year-old daughter Raiqah (class I) to participate in group activities of her choice in school and at home. The idea is for her to learn valuable lessons of teamwork as also to take setbacks in her stride. Moreover, I spend quality time with Raiqah outdoors. A visit to a shopping mall with my daughter the other day was a good lesson in decision-making. I asked her to make a choice between a new dress and a school bag. To my surprise, Raiqah chose the school bag because she said she needed it more!” — Mehnaz Shabir, homemaker “Parents are the first role models of their children with much of their learning happening by merely observing them. Therefore, we try to set good examples by doing our chores efficiently and within set time schedules. I have taught my nine-year-old daughter Ariyana (class V) to always plan ahead, make practical time-tables and complete assignments according to schedule. I believe the importance of team work and collaboration can be taught through sport. So we have encouraged Ariyana and my three-year-old son Arjun (nursery) to try out team sports like volleyball, basketball, football and cricket. On weekends, we engage them in long conversations and ask children’s opinions on smallest issues.” — Sanchita Singh, homemaker “Despite my busy schedule, I always insist on giving a patient hearing to my daughter Debasmita (10) so she develops the habit of listening and respecting others’ points of view which I believe is an effective leadership trait. We also devised a plan to teach Debasmita good work ethics such as patience, perseverance and determination. To instill these values, we gave her the responsibility of planting a few saplings in our garden and nurturing them single handedly. When her plants began to blossom, she realised the fruits of her perseverance and labour.” — Dona Bhaumik, self-employed.

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Health & Nutrition

Tender coconut treats

Tender coconuts are popular as a stand-alone drink and snack but they are also wonderful meal ingredients, writes Sheela P. Thammaiah Tender coconut water is hydrating and nutritious, fat-free and high in antioxidants, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, and proteins. Moreover, the soft meat or flesh inside the coconut helps to restore oxidative tissue damage and is a healthy source of fats, proteins, dietary fibre and minerals. It’s also a source of potassium and sodium which helps regulate blood pressure. Tender coconut fruit salad Ingredients 1 cup fresh tender coconut meat cubes 1/2 cup fresh pineapple cubes 1/2 cup apple cubes (unpeeled) 1/2 cup boiled potato cubes 1/4 cup cheese cubes 10 chopped olives 1/4 chopped capsicum For the dressing 1/4 cup yogurt 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup fresh cream 1/4 tsp mustard powder Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Tender coconut pudding Ingredients 1 can (400 gm) condensed milk 250 ml milk cream 1 cup fresh coconut milk 1 cup full fat milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 5-10 gm china grass sheets (agar-agar) 1 cup water (for boiling china grass) ½ cup chopped tender coconut meat Preparation guide Mix the can of condensed milk and milk cream in a bowl. Add the cup of full fat milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk well. Bring mixture to a boil, remove from heat and set aside. Soak 5 gm of china grass in a cup of water for five minutes. Bring it to a boil and simmer until the china grass melts. Strain and add to pudding mixture. Add the tender coconut meat. Pour into bowls and let it set in the fridge for four hours. Serve cold Prawn curry in tender coconut shell Ingredients 1 tender coconut 6-7 jumbo prawns 2-3 tbsp boiled onion paste (place the onion in water and microwave for 5 minutes and then make a paste) 2 ½ tbsp poppy seed paste 3 tbsp mustard paste 1-2 green chillies ¼ cup tender coconut meat ⅓ cup coconut water ½ tsp turmeric powder 2-3 tbsp mustard oil 1 teaspoon panch phoron (whole spice blend) or garam masala Salt (as per taste) Pinch of sugar (optional) Dough to seal the coconut shell Preparation guide Slice top of the green coconut to make a big round cavity. Don’t throw away the top shell, you’ll need it to seal the coconut during cooking. Drain the coconut water into a glass/jug. Next, scoop out the flesh/malai of the green coconut using a spoon and set aside. Make a fine paste from the mustard seeds, poppy seeds, 1/3 cup of coconut water, salt, pinch of sugar (optional), green chillies, and ½ teaspoon turmeric powder. Cut and clean prawns, and marinate in salt and turmeric powder. Heat 1 tablespoon of mustard oil in a pan and shallow fry the prawns, and set them aside. (Don’t…

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Health & Nutrition

Safeguard against the Plastics Invasion

Plastic has pervaded every aspect of our lives, from feeding bottles and food storage containers to plastic straws and water bottles children carry to school. Here are some ways you can restrict plastic use and keep your family safe and healthy The species homo sapiens needs water and food to survive. Our hunter-cultivator ancestors grew grain, fruits and vegetables and hunted animals to fulfil their protein requirements. They didn’t need packaged or ready-to-eat foods with artificial preservatives, colour, contaminants and pesticides. They ate fresh food and starved when it was not available. They drank water from clean rivers and wells. But their lifespan, despite living healthy, was half of what it is today. They died, not from toxins in the environment, but due to infectious diseases preventable by immunisation. In the 21st century, drinking water flows from taps, released from centralised town and city reservoirs which in turn receive their fill from rivers and lakes contaminated with industrial, human and animal waste, and disease-causing microbes. State/local governments purify the water by flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. But these cleansing processes involve use of chemicals. For instance flocculation involves adding metallic coagulants compounds of aluminium, iron, hydrated lime and magnesium. Disinfection is with chlorine or chlorinate. The human body cannot process aluminum. It is deposited in internal organs such as the brain, liver and kidney and causes Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Iron in drinking water is not as harmful because it is required for blood formation and is processed to some extent by the body. But it gives water an unpalatable metallic taste. Excess chlorine is associated with increase in the incidence of cancer. Initially, water was transported in lead pipes. Since this could result in lead poisoning, there was severe public condemnation of lead pipes and they were replaced with PVC pipes made of thermoplastic resin, a plastics derivative. Subsequently, a widespread media campaign promoted the use of bottled water. Several companies stepped forward to provide “safe bottled water” which is now sold everywhere. Some of the more expensive bottled water brands are sourced from “pure springs” but most are from the municipal water supply taps. You could do as well at home by filtering and boiling the municipal water and then storing it in a water bottle. Water bottles and containers are often made of flimsy plastic, to cut costs and improve profit margins. They are seldom made from certified food grade plastic. Recent studies indicate that nano-size plastic particles can leach out in microscopic quantities. Therefore they are omnipresent in the bottled water we drink. A safer alternative is to install ion exchange water purifiers at home and shun the purchase of purified water in plastic containers. You could follow this up by storing water in the fridge in copper and steel containers. Unfortunately, plastic has pervaded every aspect of our lives, from feeding bottles and food storage containers to plastic straws and water bottles children take to school. Snacks are…

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Activity Zone

Indoor rock climbing

Do your children drive you up the wall? Time to turn the tables by taking them indoor climbing, says K.P. Malini On a balmy Monday evening in Kochi, sports enthusiasts as young as four and as old as 65 scale the four walls of an indoor climbing gym, The Rock. Requiring strength, agility, and mental and physical stamina, indoor climbing is fast emerging as a popular fitness sport and activity across the country. Daniel, proprietor and coach at The Rock, says this indoor sport is becoming popular because it offers the “thrill and adventure of rock climbing in a safe controlled setting”. “If you can climb stairs, you’ll be able to climb a wall. It just takes a little more effort,” he says. Indoor scaling is performed in an artificial environment with structures that mimic the experience of outdoor rock climbing. Many rock gyms provide climbing walls with varying levels of difficulty. A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with designed grips for hands and feet. The minimum height of a climbing wall is 20 ft with no upper limit. The Rock proudly offers a 50 ft climbing wall. “Most climbing clubs provide the required safety gear. Climbers have to bring only their shoes — preferably canvas. Beginners need to eat a meal two hours before a climbing session to prevent cramping. Nevertheless it’s important to warm up and ensure your safety gear is in order,” says Aakriti Daniel, coach of the Kerala rock climbing team and co-promoter of The Rock. From building stamina and fitness to meditation, people are taking to this sport for numerous reasons, says Madhu C.R, a rock climbing enthusiast and member of the group Let’s Play Climbing, Bangalore. “Indoor climbing is a safe introduction to outdoor rock climbing replicating similar environmental conditions, equipment, etc. Safety climbing ropes and harness ensure that the experience is risk-free. Therefore parents feel secure about their children experimenting with this sport. For working adults too this is a stress-busting adrenaline-rush sport which builds strength and stamina,” says Madhu. With this sport becoming increasingly popular, indoor climbing gyms are springing up across the country, and competitive city, state and national tournaments are being organised. In competitive tournaments, there are three artificial rock climbing categories — bouldering, speed climbing and lead climbing. Bouldering requires climbing artificial rock walls, known as boulders, without use of ropes and harnesses. While seasoned competitors shun all equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to secure footholds, chalk to provide a firm grip, and bouldering mats to prevent fall injuries. In lead climbing tournaments, climbing techniques and ingenuity to ascend a route are evaluated. In speed climbing competitions, speed of ascent is timed and is the ultimate goal. According to Aakriti, the health benefits of rock climbing are manifold. “It boosts energy and provides a full body workout. It also teaches life skills such as determination, a never-say-die attitude, resilience, problem-solving, and goal-setting” she says. Popular indoor rock climbing centres Delhi •…

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Fun with Words

The long and short of Binomials

Pair words or binomials are part and parcel of the English language, says Roopa Banerjee A binomial is a pair of words linked by a conjunction (usually ‘and’) or a preposition. For instance ‘loud and clear’ or ‘peace and quiet’. There is balance in a pair, and the English language is no exception. Phrases which have two words that are paired are binomials. In these phrases, the word order doesn’t change. We always say ‘peace and quiet’, never ‘quiet and peace.’ The term binomial is Latin for ‘two names’. Binomials are mostly formed by combining two nouns, although some binomials are also formed with adjective and verb phrases. Some examples of noun binomials are ‘life and times’, ‘law and order’ and ‘pros and cons’. Also in a restaurant menu, noun binomials are used frequently. ‘Fish and chips’, ‘salt and pepper’, ‘steak and potatoes’, ‘bread and butter’, ‘cheese and crackers’ and ‘wine and cheese’ are the most used food binomials. If binomials are so common, can trinomials be far behind? For example: ‘cool, calm and collected,’ ‘healthy, wealthy and wise’ and ‘hook, line and sinker’. All of these are trinomials as they have three words used in the exact order every time. While noun binomials rule the roost, adjective binomials are also popular in the English language. ‘Alive and kicking,’ ‘black and blue,’ ‘hale and hearty’ or ‘clean and tidy’ are used so regularly that we don’t give them a second thought. Teddy bears are ‘cute and cuddly’ while you can leave someone ‘high and dry.’ Messages are ‘loud and clear’ when someone acts ‘high and mighty’. Adjectives do the job of binomials equally well. There are no ‘hard and fast’ rules. The most effective binomials use antonyms or opposites. To go ‘back and forth’ over a point or to marry someone ‘for better or for worse’ are antonym binomials. Everything was explained in ‘black and white,’ while there was no ‘give and take’ in that relationship. Without binomials, we would have needed a lot more words to make the same point. While not as dramatic, synonym binomials also help to emphasise points of view. These binomials are made by pairing two words that mean the same thing, to stress meaning. ‘By leaps and bounds’ or ‘null and void’ are synonym binomials. It was hidden in every ‘nook and cranny,’ and she was acting all ‘prim and proper’ are more examples of the same. You can ‘pick and choose’ any of these! Many binomials combine words that rhyme. “I’ve almost finished every task; I’ve just got the ‘odds and sods’ left”. Or “this town used to be so quiet; I can’t believe the ‘hustle and bustle’ now”. Some binomials use alliteration cleverly. This is when the sounds at the beginning of the words are similar. She was advised some ‘rest and relaxation.’ Also, her life had its own ‘trials and tribulations’. Try it out Fill in the correct binomial pair to complete the sentences: 1. I agree that she was very impolite…

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Careers Watch

There are billions in this trade

Old-style stockbroking firms have morphed into gleaming Wall Street-style powerhouses employing economists, accountants, analysts, and specialists Very few monitors of the Indian economy could have imagined that Indian companies like Infosys Technologies, TCS, Wipro and others would emerge from the cloistered corporate world of India to become star scrips on Nasdaq (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations), the technology-heavy US stockmarket index. But these scrips were merely the vanguard of at least a dozen other Indian companies which are now listed on Nasdaq. India’s two active stock exchanges are now dealing with big numbers and big money with stockbrokers dealing in billions rather than in millions. Their characteristic tiny booth-like offices boasting only a telephone have metamorphosed into gleaming avant-garde Wall Street-style powerhouses employing economists, chartered accountants, financial analysts, researchers, and industry specialists. Quite obviously stockbroking firms and stockbrokers are redefining themselves as the business of advising buyers and sellers of financial paper as well as facilitating transactions (‘broking’) becomes more complex and voluminous. The National Stock Exchange or NSE (inaugurated on July 23, 1994) provides nationwide trading facilities accessible to investors across the country with the automated, screen-based trading system using state-of-the-art technology making stockmarket operations more transparent. Simultaneously with foreign financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Merril Lynch having entered the Indian stockmarket, stockbroking has become more professional. Today’s progressive stockbrokers have all their operations computerised and employ qualified industry specialists to advise on buying and selling of stocks and shares. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been empowered by an Act of Parliament to protect the rights of investors and ensure the promotion and regulation of the capital markets. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), New Delhi, conducts its chartered accountancy programme for Plus Two level school leavers through a foundation course and directly for graduates (except fine arts graduates). Finance managers may be MBAs with specialisation in finance from reputed institutes of management or from business administration departments of major universities. Some institutions offering learning programmes for the stockbroking business are: • Institute of Company Secretaries of India, New Delhi, which offers a postgraduate course in capital markets and financial services • Institute of Capital Market Development, New Delhi, offers a one-year postgraduate programme in fundamentals relating to capital market development • All India Centre for Capital Market Studies, Nasik, Maharashtra. It offers a one-year postgraduate programme in capital market studies in collaboration with the Bombay Stock Exchange Training Institute, leading to a diploma from the University of Pune • Stock Exchange Building, Mumbai. Certificate courses run throughout the year • Institute of Financial and Investment Planning, Mumbai. Its one year correspondence-cum-lecture series course leads to a diploma in financial and investment planning • Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), Hyderabad, offers a chartered financial analyst equity research programme • The Orion Institute of Capital Market, New Delhi, offers a one-year diploma programme in financial systems and investment management With a large number of foreign financial institutions…

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Letter from Managing Editor

Less than two decades ago, access to and viewing of pornography was restricted to sleazy neighbourhood video parlours which surreptitiously loaned and/or displayed pornographic material. But in the new millennium with the Internet becoming ubiquitous and advent of cheap Internet data and smartphones, online pornography has become instantly accessible, affordable and anonymous for the masses. There’s no shortage of studies or data which prove that the unchecked growth of a billion dollar multinational porn industry is a prime causative factor behind the rising incidence of crimes against women and — worse, little children — worldwide and in under-policed and educationally under-served third world countries in particular. In 2015, responding to the demand of several parents groups, lawyers and activists (and EducationWorld), the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre ordered Internet service providers to block the broadcast of 857 pornography websites into India. However, following a hue and cry about moral policing from misguided liberals cut off from ground realities, it reversed this order. A public interest litigation to block access to pornography websites in India is pending in the Supreme Court even as the government plans to set up an ombudsman for regulating Internet content including pornography. In this month’s cover story, we highlight the dangers of parents unintentionally allowing children and adolescents easy access to mentally and morally destabilising pornography. With an estimated 134 million children and teens accessing the Internet, there’s high probability they are viewing inappropriate sexual content. In our cover feature, well-informed psychologists and parenting experts warn about the hazards of children and teens suffering negative emotional, psychological and physical health outcomes including depression, anxiety, violent behaviour, promiscuity, teen pregnancies and gender equality distortions, if allowed to access increasingly depraved porn. There’s much else in this disturbing issue of ParentsWorld. Check out our Health & Nutrition essay by Vellore-based pediatrician Dr. Gita Mathai on protecting your family from the invasion of plastics; Early Childhood feature providing excellent guidelines to young parents on dealing with bed-time tantrums and Interview with children’s author Sowmya Rajendran.

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Ask your counselor

Breaking the habit of thumb sucking

My nine-year-old son sucks his thumb while sleeping, watching television and/or when he is trying to concentrate on tasks. I have received complaints from his school teachers but I am unable to motivate him to drop this habit. — Lakshmi Reddy, Vishakapatnam Thumb sucking is one of the hardest habits to break in children because it is usually a response to separation anxiety in the early years and helps children to feel calm and relaxed. Later in life, children and teens indulge in it when they are bored, hungry, upset, or stressed. Parents use bandages, bitter medicine and dental appliances to reduce thumb sucking. However, these methods tend to exacerbate the problem. An excellent natural way to reduce anxiety in children is through play. Encourage solitary and peer group play. Never use threats or punishments such as sending him away to a boarding school and avoid ridiculing him for thumb sucking as it’s likely to increase it because of heightened fear of being abandoned by you. I have a seven-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. I have recently been informed by my boss that I will soon be posted to Australia on a work project for eight months. My mother has volunteered to step in and help with the children. Do you think eight months apart from my children is too long a separation period? My husband is also not happy about it, but we need a double income. Will the separation hurt my children psychologically? — Ranee Sona, Mumbai This is a great opportunity to let your children understand that your career is important, as well as teach them gender equality. Prepare your children for the change by making arrangements for your mother to bond with them and set routines before you emplane for Australia. Keep your communication short, simple and clear while discussing your work stint abroad. Of course your children are likely to experience mild stress in your absence but if given a supportive, predictable and loving environment, they will be able to adapt. Once you are in Oz keep in touch via phone calls and video chats. Discuss your posting with your husband and let him know that your career is important to you. Explain to him that if the shoe was on the other foot you would have supported him fully. There’s no need to feel guilty about seizing the career progression opportunity that has come your way. In short, make the transition comfortable and set routines before you leave. Afterwards, stay in touch and allow your children time to adjust and adapt. I have recently come out of a very difficult divorce. My husband was abusive and after seven years of suffering him, I filed for divorce. Unfortunately, and painfully, my son was witness to the emotional and physical abuse I experienced. Although he is ten years old now, I sense there is some emotional scarring. My husband is still active in my son’s life. But I have noticed that my son is…

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Ask the doctor

Is the Keto diet advisable for children

My nine-year-old suffers from flatulence. He is often embarrassed in public gatherings. How can I help him? — Rita Chowdhury, Mumbai Production of gas in the intestine is normal. However, in some cases there may be increased gas production because of a wide range of causes including lactose and fructose intolerance and/or constipation. I recommend that you consult a paediatrician who will investigate and suggest the best course of treatment. You could also introduce some lifestyle changes including modifications in your family diet and increased exercise. My 15-year old son has started following the Keto diet. He is not very active physically although he plays badminton occasionally. His days are spent in school and coaching classes, so he doesn’t have time for sports. His weight is 54 kg. Is the Keto diet suitable for him? — Vinita M, Bangalore The Keto or Ketogenic diet was designed for children suffering seizures. It’s a low-carbs diet which radically changes the body’s natural metabolism. A rising number of people are resorting to the Keto diet for weight loss. But since it turns the body into a fat-burning machine, there may be health complications. Moreover there’s a dearth of long-term studies to evaluate the side effects of Ketogenic diets. It may be more advisable to follow the USDA Centre for Nutrition Policy and Promotion’s nutritional guide — ‘My Plate’ — and get him to exercise every day. My children (eight-year-old-girl and five-year-old boy) are often criticised for being underweight. My in-laws and relatives constantly comment on their skin-and-bones look. However they eat normally and are very active. My son’s weight is 13 kg and daughter 20 kg. Should I increase their food intake? — Vinitha Sharma, Bangalore Paediatricians assess child growth and development on the basis of standardised weight and height scales. Some children are at the third percentile for weight but continue growing along that curve and are healthy. It is a concern only when children show changes in weight over a long period of time. Your paediatrician will help you track your children’s weight and height through standarised charts. Usually, a child who the growth curve, and has an active lifestyle is doing well. Please encourage a healthy lifestyle with nutritious food and an active day with outdoor play. This is important to ensure optimal growth and development of children. (Dr. Nisha Miriam George is a paediatric consultant at Sundaram Medical Foundation and Dr. Rangarajan Memorial Hospital, Chennai)

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Middle Years

ADHD symptoms and diagnosis

Unfortunately because of lack of awareness about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder parents seek professional help only when their children’s academic performance dips. All other problems are swept under the ‘bad behaviour’ and ‘indiscipline’ carpet – Aarti C. Rajaratnam Anwar Kumar is a class VIII student in a private school in Coimbatore. His teachers know him as the child who is ‘always on the go’; he is constantly fidgeting, cannot sit still, and dislikes rules. But curiously although physically active, he hates sports and games. He also never plays by the rules and his peers shy away from including him in their teams. He has trouble making friends and often gets into ugly spats, dislikes fantasy play and insist on having his way even if it means hurting others. Nandini Raghupathi is also a class VIII student at an international school in Chennai. She can complete her academic work only with support from the school’s remedial teacher. When writing a test/exam she often submits a blank paper because she forgets to check if she wrote on both sides of the paper. She says hurtful things to people and has no ‘filter’ when it comes to using foul language or information sharing. She is not accepted into adolescent cliques because her classmates feel she can’t keep secrets. Nandini repeatedly misplaces books and stationery items at school. Her mother never sends her out to the local store because she not only forgets what she has to buy and loses the money given, but also wanders away into neighbours’ homes within the large apartment complex. Anwar and Nandini both dislike tasks that require sustained mental activity, are forgetful, easily distracted, cannot wait for their turn in games and conversations, get into trouble because their teachers feel that they don’t listen when spoken to and often interrupt others and/or talk excessively and without direction. Both children are lost when executing tasks that involve multiple levels of organisation or instruction. All this is because Anwar and Nandini are suffering Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Anwar has the hyperactivity-impulsivity subtype of ADHD and Nandini the inattention subtype. Unfortunately because of lack of awareness about ADHD, parents seek professional help too late, only when their children’s academic performance dips. All other symptoms are swept under the ‘bad behaviour’ and ‘indiscipline’ carpet. ADHD children have problems managing executive functions — cognitive skills which facilitate critical thinking and self-regulation. Therefore they struggle to control impulses, sustain attention, regulate emotions, memory and cognitive flexibility. This adversely affects their social skills, capability to complete tasks, solve problems, manage time, manage information and emotional expression. Most medical practitioners prescribe drugs for children with severe ADHD, especially when the symptoms interfere with their safety because of inability to gauge risks and consequences. But drugs are not the entire solution. Supplementary sensory integration and occupational therapy are essential in the initial stages of treatment. This should be supported by activities to improve emotional regulation, academic and social skills. A remedial educator and speech therapist is…

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Early Childhood

Managing bedtime tantrums

It is 9 p.m and Roopa Malhotra’s nerves are frazzled after a long day as she tries unsuccessfully to get her three-year-old daughter to sleep. The Bangalore-based homemaker’s daughter Anju refuses to sleep and is soon bawling from exhaustion. Baby’s bedtime tantrums has become a nightmare for the Malhotra household. Preschool children in the three-five-year age group need 11-13 hours of sleep per day. Inadequate sleep in young children results in poor growth and fatigue which makes them vulnerable to viral and other infections. Why children fight sleep Children may be reluctant to sleep for any one or more of the following reasons: » They may be overtired or not tired enough » Don’t want to leave the scene of excitement » It’s a form of rebellion to assert independence » Anxiety and fear of sleeping alone » Lack of self-soothing skills or may not know how to manage boredom » Emotional deprivation. Toddlers respond better at bedtime if parents are available physically and emotionally during the day and at bedtime. If parents are busy watching television or entertaining guests at bedtime, children may experience neglect and try to draw attention by throwing a tantrum. “Sometimes, bedtime tantrums are also a sign of physical discomfort or not having had a sufficient dinner,” says Purnima Gupta, a well-known Ahmedabad-based clinical psychologist. Managing bedtime tantrums Here are some suggestions for making bedtime a calming experience for children: Set a bedtime routine Ensure that your child sleeps and wakes up at the same time during the school term and holidays. Get her to put her toys away, give her a warm bath, get her to brush her teeth, wear her pajamas and settle down to listen to a bedtime story. A routine signals her mind and body that it’s time to wind down. A 2017 study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews titled ‘Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond’ says that nightly bedtime routines promote deep sleep as well as overall development and well-being in early childhood. The recommended bedtime routine includes activities in the area of nutrition (a warm glass of milk), hygiene (bathing, oral care), communication (reading, singing lullabies) and physical contact (massage, cuddling and rocking). “Since such routines embody nurturing care, they promote language development, literacy, child emotional and behavioural regulation, parent-child attachment and improved family functioning,” says the study. Give your child a choice A probable reason why young children don’t fall asleep easily is because they want to be in control. So, let your child be in control in some ways. Let her choose what night dress to wear or pick the stuffed animal she will cuddle in her bed. Get her to choose the story you read to her. This will place her in a good mood. Make bedtime positive by letting the routine include what your child enjoys, whether it’s a tummy rub, a favourite book or splashing in the bath. Ensure she is physically ready for bed Children sleep well…

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Resources

Food, art and crafts, & eco-conservation

Everyday Love — A Mother’s Guide to Healthy Cooking for Kids by Sharmila Ribeiro (Sharmila Ribeiro, 2017) This is a treasure trove of easy-to-prepare, healthy and nutritious recipes for children. It features 177 recipes covering a wide range of foods including breakfasts, pastas, soups, salads, dips, sauces, spreads, breads, chaats, cool drinks, cookies and cakes. Among the best recipes are Restaurant-style Unfried Chicken — a baked meal which is a healthy alternative to fast food chicken which most children love; Indian-style quesadillas and lemon curd cake. The recipes are supported by attractive illustrations. Order online on www.sharmilacooksforkids.com (Rs.899) A Nutty Story: The art of making dolls from coconuts by Anuradha Ananth Huggler (Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 2018) In this fascinating book, Germany-based Anuradha Ananth Huggler gives children an insight into traditional Indian arts and culture by highlighting the ancient craft of doll-making out of coconuts. These dolls were traditionally handcrafted by grandmothers and used as home decorations and/or gifted. Uniquely, the book is written in rhyming format. Here’s an excerpt: “Nutraj, Nutya and Nutalie were on top of the colourful diverse pile. They stayed there absolutely quiet for what seemed a long while. Then a bright little tomato said, “I think we vegetables are going into a chutney so, in what dish are you three going to be?” Shailja Jain Chougule’s vibrant illustrations add colour and life to the book. Recycle Roundup This online game is a great way to acquaint children with ways and means to segregate waste. Players need to help Gus the Gorilla sort trash into three bins. Children score points when they dump trash into the right bins, following it up with composting and recycling. This is a cool game to educate as well as reward children for learning to segregate waste. The game is available on National Geographic Kids, a safe website to visit, play and download from.

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News Bytes

Human brain loves food loaded with carbs & fats

The human brain values foods that are high in both fat and carbohydrates rather than those containing either fat or carbohydrates, says a study published in Cell Metabolism (June). This explains why humans are attracted to processed foods such as fries, sausages, bacon, ham and ready-to-eat meals. These foods tend to hijack the body’s inborn signals governing food consumption and the brain’s reward system, according to Dana Small, director of the Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center at Yale University, USA, which conducted the study. “Surprisingly, foods containing fats and carbohydrates appear to signal their potential caloric loads to the brain via distinct mechanisms. Our study shows that when both nutrients are combined, the brain seems to overestimate the energetic value of the food,” says Small. The study analysed data of 206 adults, with participants undergoing brain scans while being shown photographs of familiar snacks containing mostly fat, mostly carbs, and a combination of fat and carbohydrates and were allocated a small amount of money to bid on their first-choice food. The results showed that the participants were willing to pay more for foods that combined fat and carbohydrates. Go to bed early, stay depression-free There’s one more reason to go early to bed. If you go to bed early, you are less likely to suffer depression, reveals a recent study conducted by the University of Colorado-Boulder, USA. According to Celine Vetter, director of the university’s Circadian and Sleep Epidemiology Laboratory and lead author, women who stay up late at nights are twice as likely to suffer from depression. The late chronotypes aka night owls, are less likely to be married, more likely to live alone, become smokers, and more likely to suffer erratic sleep patterns, says the study. To conduct the study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research (June), the team analysed 32,000 women nurses to explore the link between chronotype, or sleep-wake preference, and mood disorders. The results showed that even after accounting for environmental factors such as light exposure and work schedules, chronotype — which is in part determined by genetics — increases depression risk. Helicopter parenting linked to child behavioural problems Children of over-controlling parents, aka “helicopter parents”, are less able to control their emotions and impulses as they grow older, says a recent study published in the US-based journal Developmental Psychology (June). Researchers from the US and Switzerland interacted with 422 infants and their mothers and examined to what degree the mothers dominated the playtime and activities of their children and tracked their behaviour over the next eight years. They found that controlling parenting is linked to several problems including poor control of emotions, inadequate social skills and poor academic performance of children until they attained ten years of age. Comments Dr. Nicole Perry of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, who co-authored the research: “Our research shows that children with helicopter parents are less able to deal with life’s challenges as they grow up, especially in coping with complex school environments.…

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Mailbox

Informative & timely

The June cover story ‘Ready, set go for new school year’ was informative and timely. For most parents, beginning of the new academic year is a stressful time and expert advice to make the preparation process smooth is most welcome. The health guide to seasonal illnesses put together by paediatricians Dr. B. Nandesh and Dr. Satish S.R. was also very useful as was the list of eco-friendly school supplies. But we need more options which are affordable as well. Teachers and parents must make conscious efforts to inculcate respect for environment within children and a good starting point is to use eco-friendly paper, pencils and other stationery items. The advisory on choosing school bags and limiting electronic screen time was also excellent. Sreelatha Ramakrishnan Chennai Digital eye strain dangers The early childhood story on protecting children from digital eye strain was revealing and educational (PW June). Today’s children are digital natives and spend disproportionate amounts of time before computer screens, tablets, smart phones, etc. Unfortunately parents are also using tech devices as baby-sitters and don’t supervise the screen time of children. I am also guilty of doing this, particularly when I want time alone. But as the well-informed ophthalmologists have warned in your story, excessive use of digital devices causes ophthalmic problems ranging from eye strain to myopia in young children. In many cases when young children become myopic, there is always the risk of progressive deterioration. Parents should protect children from digital eye strain as the dangers of excessive screen time far outweigh the benefits. I have resolved to reduce the screen time of my children from three to two hours per day. Anju Thomas Kochi Include entrance exam deadlines Your Careers Watch section on jewellery design (PW June) was enlightening. It’s so encouraging that the young generation has the option of exploring a whole range of new-age careers such as jewellery design. In our time, medical, engineering and teaching were the only options available. My two teenage daughters love reading the careers and recipes sections in your magazine. It would be good if you added a section on competitive/college entrance exam deadlines and scholarship news. Shraddha Patil Mumbai Parental guilt challenge Parenting in the Google age is a huge challenge, especially when both parents are working. We get help from extended family, day care centres and house helpers. Some of them may not be as perfect as we would like, but we have to manage. We do our best to provide the best to our offspring. Still we struggle to stave off the parental guilt. We do want to be the perfect parents, yet we don’t want to give up on our careers. It’s a difficult balance. You need to write a story on how parents cope with the many modern-day parenting challenges including parental guilt. I know many of my women colleagues wallow in guilt because they are unable to do justice either to their work or children. It’s not the same for men…

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