Open up on sexual awareness : Experts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 19

Child rights activist Enakshi Ganguly and Ruma Purkayastha organised a special workshop for parents and teachers at Majha House as a follow-up to the workshops held a day before for youngsters on child rights, sexual abuse among children and stress-related issues.

Ruma started the workshop by addressing parents and teachers on how to identify signs of stress and depression in teenagers by studying their behavioral patterns. “We need to be up, close and personal with our children so that they feel free to share their fears, anxieties and other emotions without any inhibition.”

She told parents and teachers to stop imposing pressure of exams, results, performance, etc., on children as these pressures can have serious psychological repercussions. Addressing parental concerns of aggression among teens, Ruma said, “The perception that kids today are more aggressive is only a matter of one’s own judgments.” She said that most of the time teenagers feel that no one understands them which leads to frustration and depression.

Enakshi Ganguly shared with the parents and teachers the drawings and ideas of safe and unsafe places that the children had expressed in their workshop on Saturday. Parents and teachers were aghast when they learned that some children had listed their friend’s house and even their own rooms and coaching centres as unsafe places. “What we need to do immediately is encourage our children to speak up. Our workshops are aimed at breaking the silence ‘Sexual awareness are some things most parents and teachers are not comfortable dealing with,” she said.