Recently we heard of a couple of cases of children committing suicide. This is a very delicate issue. What do parents say to children? What do children understand from their parents’ behaviour towards their other children? It has always been believed that parents have a preference for their first child. In most cases, we do see that preference. In Mauritius, it’s very common for parents to tend to compare their first child with the others. Are we all the same? How come the fingers of our hand are different? Each of us has an identity. Do we all carry the same name?

“You will never be like your elder brother!” Why don’t parents leave off this comparing thing? They should realise how suffocating and downgrading it is for a child to hear the parents comparing him/her with his/her brothers or sisters. Such preferences create instability in the minds of those innocent children. They may start doubting their parents’ love. Is this deliberate on the part of the parents?

We can understand those children who are trying hard to please their parents. How desperate they are to hear that they are better than their brothers and sisters! They would do anything to get that praise. Night and day is spent studying so as they can prove that they are better. Why should children have to prove their capabilities? Sometimes those efforts go wasted. What is the state of mind of those children? Is it fair that children have to go to such extremes to get the love of their parents?

Parents are the representatives of God on earth. Does God choose his devotees? Parents are the idols of their children and they should remain so. Unknowingly many mistakes are made by parents; whether in anger or while talking about others. Parents are symbols of care, protection and love. They are the only ones who will support children until the end of their lives. How will we feel if our child commits suicide? Suicide is not an act committed by cowards. Those children could not endure their pain. Our children are our future. They are the future parents. We have to make sure that they too become their children’s idols.

Shavila DHORBUL</B>