TV stokes aggression in children, say doctors

New Delhi: Call it stress in school or undemocratic parenting at home, more and more children, specially adolescents, are being pushed to the edge. Child psychiatrists say the message being drilled into kids that life is a competitivesport,isturning thejoy of learning atschoolinto a struggletoexcelfor thesechildren.      Several questions are being raised following the class IX student stabbing his teacher in Chennai: Wasthestudent lonely? Did his parents ever try to listen to him? Was the teacher excessively inconsiderate towards him? Could TV have played a role in pushing him tocommitsuch an act?      Dr Jitendra Nagpal,senior consultant at the Institute of Mental Health and Lifeskills at Moolchand Hospital, said children brought up in happy and communicating families have been seen to be less aggressive, less defiant and not hostile. "I don't agree with what the boy in Chennai did. But such cases of adolescent aggression arebecoming common. We see 10 such patients every week,"Dr Nagpalsaid.      So can parents help do? "Bonding with real time communication with their children, democratic parenting by allowing children in the family to express their opinion... can really help," Dr Nagpal added.      Doctors say parents and teachers should look out for warning signs like trouble concentrating on homework, physicalor verbal aggression.      According to Dr Samir Parekhfrom Max Hospital,TVis playing a major role in stimulating aggression among youngsters. Experts say a child sitting with parents and watching violent soap operas that delve into family politics and conspiracy can end up believing in the idea of a fragmented family. The kid, then, failstotrust.      Several studies on the effects of TV and video game violence on children have found that kids may accept violence as a waytosolve problems and identify with certain characters, victimsor aggressors.  Killer Chennai boy can't face parents  Chennai: The 15-year-old boy who was arrested and sent to a government juvenile home for murdering his school teacher on Thursday told cops that he didn't want to meet his parents. "I've brought dishonour to my family. I can't face them," a police officer quoted him as saying. TNN