Violence!!

I met a child who was unbelievably quiet. He was constantly hiding behind his mother. For every small nibble he wanted to have, he looked at his father, as if taking an affirmative. Then he went and sat at a small corner and started playing in his I-pad. Then came two other children who were gleefully playing.

This young lad glanced at them and then at his parents, and started playing in his I-pad again. He kept peeking at those children and his parents, as if trying to hide something. He was playing, but his heart was somewhere else. His mother came and sat beside him in a while, and started praising him for playing Angry Birds and the way he killed those pigs! He got distracted and became happy. A loud laughter cam fro the other 2 kids and he is a very soft voice asked he mother, 'Mumma, can I play with them. I promise I wont make noise and wont get bruised. I promise you wont have to shout at me.' And I was taken aback. 

How was that toddler responsible if his parents shouted at him! How was he responsible if someone does not how to talk! How!

We all stand against Domestic Violence, which is commendable, but my concern is what do we name shouting, screaming and threatening by family members be termed as. Is Domestic Violence just Physical in nature? What do we call it when people shout at you, scold you and stop you from doing something because they are not comfortable. What about when people dont accept you for who you are and force you to 'mend your ways'. I propose this all to be considered under domestic violence only. 

You are not hitting your child, but are shouting at him and threatening to hit him if he/she doesnt behave in your intended way, you are indulging in domestic violence. A family is there to support you in thick and thin and not make you a coward. Discipline is important in life and so is letting loose and being own self. Adhering to rules is important but having a mind of our own is also important. Expressing own self is good and so is accepting others'. A family may not think alike at all times, but as elders it is our responsibility, to have children form their opinions and viewpoints.

Parents are the biggest influence on a person in his/her life and if they are un-accepting, the society will also be, and we become 'INTOLERANT".

Please dont create a situation, wherein your near and dear ones become their true self when they are away from you! You'll only push them further.