Peeps without curfews

Putting the Cinderella mode on and racing back home after a hectic night of frolicking are a thing of the past. Youngsters in the city are having a ball of a time way past midnight, without any thought of a curfew, as there isn’t any!  Yes, adolescents and young adults are getting back home anytime between 12 am to 4 am, without the jitters of being questioned. Interestingly, a large number of parents seem to be unnerved by the trend. We take a deeper look into it to find out more…

“Though I’m not a hardcore raver or a party person, I do frequently indulge in night outs with my friends. As long as my parents know where I’m headed, they’re not really bothered about the timings. They’re aware that I’m responsible enough to not over drink or drive after that. Plus, while unwinding, it’s not always that you’ll be watching the clock.

Sometimes gatherings happen till the wee hours of the morning. As long as you’re responsible enough to handle yourself, what’s the harm?” questions Shaurya Shettigar, a 23-year-old student who enjoys hanging out without the fear of curfews.

On quizzing another youngster who frequently parties till the wee hours of the morning about the same, pat comes the reply. “My parents are aware that as an event manager it’s important to network. They trust me and don’t go by external factors like time to judge my activities. So it’s peaceful,”  states Anujna Ravi, an event management professional.

“I strongly believe restrictions lead to more rebellion. The more rules you impose on your kids, the more easily will they find ways to hide things from you. It’s important to be understanding and know their perspectives instead of just saying no or keeping a close watch,” comments Charu G, a mother. On quizzing her if the harrowing instances of crimes bother her, she responds, “Well, crimes can happen in the unlikeliest of places, and even in broad daylight. I frequently interact with the people my daughter hangs out with. That gives me a better idea of what she’s upto than just blindly going by what time she’s back home.”

Giving us a broader perspective about a radical shift in parenting, Seema Chandra, a counselor states how it’s about going with the flow. “New age parents know how important it is to be on the same wavelength as their kids. By being overtly cautious and protective, they have begun to realise that it only brings about more strife. That said, it’s also important to keep a regular tab and be updated about what’s going on in your child’s life so that you are in the loop about what to expect.