Are the values and good behavior on permanent decline in India? What is the thinking pattern of our next generation? Do they really care about gender equality & compassion? Are they concerned about the good citizenship, cultural and religious diversity?
Big questions. Wipro and Educational Initiatives carried out a study recently. Reasonably good numbers - 23,000 students of Standards IV, VI and VIII from 89 schools across the country.
Answers - some interesting, some utterly disgusting & a small number of positive trends.
Although there are few, let's just look at what are the positives first - 50% of the students believe that one's religion is secondary, people become familiar to each other via mutual respect and understanding of other religions. 45% of the students think highly of Police in the country, they 'trust' police will do their best to help people. 47% of Std VIII students feel that boys and girls are equally capable.
Now the real alarmingly horrible conclusions (and there are many of these) - 43% of the students think education for a girl is not as important as that for a boy & it is a waste of resources! 15% of the std VIII students believed that the girls are 'burden' for the parents.
60% of all the students surveyed are sure that they will not accept the immigrants from other states. Reason being the outsiders do not learn the new language, culture & traditions of the state they migrate to.
Almost 70% of the students feel that differently-abled/disabled people are burdensome to society and are not good in studies. This dearth of empathy is bizarre. What's more shocking - 60% of the students lack awareness about HIV & show lesser sensitivity towards HIV-affected people.
Almost 65% students have less personal/civic responsibility and repeat objectionable practices like ignore proper garbage disposal or adhere to basic traffic rules.
The kind of TV shows and films (even some news items) that are offered these days, in the guise of - 'we-offer-what-public-demands' - is a huge robber. Above 50% of the students think that it is ok to defend religious matters by the means of violence.
Let's just hope these extreme preconceived notions do not turn into concrete prejudices, gender bias, cultural and religious intolerance, and civic irresponsibility.
The young observe us. Let's try to change these, through our words and deeds.
And it is duty of each one of us!
Big questions. Wipro and Educational Initiatives carried out a study recently. Reasonably good numbers - 23,000 students of Standards IV, VI and VIII from 89 schools across the country.
Answers - some interesting, some utterly disgusting & a small number of positive trends.
Although there are few, let's just look at what are the positives first - 50% of the students believe that one's religion is secondary, people become familiar to each other via mutual respect and understanding of other religions. 45% of the students think highly of Police in the country, they 'trust' police will do their best to help people. 47% of Std VIII students feel that boys and girls are equally capable.
Now the real alarmingly horrible conclusions (and there are many of these) - 43% of the students think education for a girl is not as important as that for a boy & it is a waste of resources! 15% of the std VIII students believed that the girls are 'burden' for the parents.
60% of all the students surveyed are sure that they will not accept the immigrants from other states. Reason being the outsiders do not learn the new language, culture & traditions of the state they migrate to.
Almost 70% of the students feel that differently-abled/disabled people are burdensome to society and are not good in studies. This dearth of empathy is bizarre. What's more shocking - 60% of the students lack awareness about HIV & show lesser sensitivity towards HIV-affected people.
Almost 65% students have less personal/civic responsibility and repeat objectionable practices like ignore proper garbage disposal or adhere to basic traffic rules.
The kind of TV shows and films (even some news items) that are offered these days, in the guise of - 'we-offer-what-public-demands' - is a huge robber. Above 50% of the students think that it is ok to defend religious matters by the means of violence.
Let's just hope these extreme preconceived notions do not turn into concrete prejudices, gender bias, cultural and religious intolerance, and civic irresponsibility.
The young observe us. Let's try to change these, through our words and deeds.
And it is duty of each one of us!
