- Rezaur Rahman Rizvi
For the past few days, one of the most talked-about news headlines across social media and mainstream media in Bangladesh has been the case of 11-year-old Arabi Islam Suba, a student of class six who went missing from Mohammadpur, Dhaka. When her father posted about her disappearance on Facebook, the post went viral almost instantly. People from all walks of life, including media personalities, shared the post and urged everyone to help find her. The news was widely covered by all major media outlets, and law enforcement authorities took the matter seriously, ultimately locating her.
Most aware readers are already familiar with this case. However, this discussion is not about Suba’s disappearance or recovery but rather about the significant role that weak parenting played in this entire incident.
What is Parenting?
Parenting, by definition, means guardianship. Broadly speaking, it refers to the process of raising, caring for, and guiding children so they grow up physically, mentally, socially, and morally healthy. Parenting is not just about providing food, shelter, and education; it also involves teaching good values, building self-confidence, and helping children acquire essential life skills.
The core aspects of parenting include love, care, discipline, etiquette, education, guidance, communication, understanding, and confidence-building. Proper parenting provides children with a sense of security and love, making them feels safe and valued. It also involves teaching appropriate behavior, correcting mistakes, helping them distinguish between right and wrong, and developing their decision-making abilities. Moreover, parenting includes understanding children’s emotions and needs, encouraging open communication, appreciating their skills, and giving them opportunities to learn new things.
Parenting is a lifelong process. A person who follows good parenting practices can properly nurture their child. Later, when that child grows up and becomes a parent, they will also raise their children the right way. In today’s world, parenting has become increasingly challenging due to technological advancements, social changes, and work-life pressures. Therefore, parents must remain vigilant and play a positive role in their children’s mental and physical development.
‘Good Parenting’ vs. ‘Weak Parenting’:
Good parenting involves continuous efforts by parents to raise their children properly and guide them in the right direction. Weak parenting, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. It creates a significant emotional distance between parents and children and weakens their mutual relationship. As a result, children are more vulnerable to negative influences and may unknowingly engage in self-destructive behaviors.
Due to weak parenting, children may become involved in substance abuse, associate with delinquent groups, lose interest in academics, skip school or coaching classes, and engage in various negative activities. All of this can happen when parents do not pay proper attention to their children.
Weak Parenting and the Future Generation:
There is a popular saying: Technology has given us speed but taken away our emotions. This statement is quite accurate in today’s context. With unrestricted access to technology, not only parents but also children are becoming increasingly addicted to computers, the internet, gaming, and mobile devices. This is weakening family bonds. The natural relationships among family members are not as strong as before, and everyone is living life in their own way.
Sitting together for meals and engaging in conversations, which used to be a norm, is now becoming rare, even in rural areas. As a result, children often hide their personal problems from their parents and seek advice from others who may not be qualified to guide them properly. Instead, these influences might lead them down the wrong path.
In our country, there is an unspoken distance between parents and children. Although some families have started adopting a more friendly approach toward their children, once they reach adolescence, their closest confidants often become their friends. These friends may misguide them, and in many cases, this can lead to negative consequences.
Let’s return to the case of Arabi Islam Suba. According to media reports, she left home with a male friend without informing her father, which caused the entire situation. It has also been reported that Suba’s mother has cancer, and her family recently moved to Dhaka two months ago.
This indicates that due to her mother’s illness, Suba may not have received enough attention from her family. As a result, she made an unwise decision at a young age. However, if her relationship with her family had been more open and friendly, the likelihood of her making such a mistake would have been significantly lower. At her age, she lacks the maturity to understand the complexities of life, and she may not have received adequate guidance.
What’s the Solution?
The only solution is good parenting. To ensure this: Encourage your child to read books. Spend more family time together. Set specific time limits on the use of technology (computers, the internet, gaming, and mobile phones). Instead of strict discipline, use empathy to help them understand the dangers of excessive technology use. If you are too strict, children may become rebellious and engage in the very activities you forbid. Spend dedicated time with your child. Plan family activities on weekends. Go on outings together occasionally. Even amid a busy schedule, always pay attention to your child.
For children who are more stubborn, try to understand their emotions. Provide them with enough mental support and seek counseling if necessary. Above all, teach them moral values and help build their self-confidence.
Final Thoughts
Parenting does not follow a fixed set of rules; it is a continuous process that must adapt to changing circumstances. However, a good family environment, a positive mindset, patience, and love can help shape a child into an ideal human being. Proper parenting is not just essential for a child’s future but also crucial for building a healthy society and a strong nation.
Therefore, every parent must consciously fulfill their responsibilities so that the next generation grows up to be ethical, confident, and disciplined members of society.
Author: Columnist & Anthropologist