Do parents over-control their child nowadays?

The definition of 'control' is the restraint or direction over something or someone. So what exactly is over-control? My perception of over-control is the excessive restraint on someone to an extend whereby forceful obligation is applied.

So now, do parents really exercise over-control on their child nowadays? Many, especially the children themselves seem to think so.

Today, more and more young people are going astray as we hear of them joining street gangs, taking drugs as well as indulging in sexual activities at a very young age. Such overt acts of insouciance certainly appears to be more prevalent today than they were in the past. In the past, the strong presence of parents went a long way into curbing such activities. Therefore, all the more it is necessary for today's parents to exercise their important role they play in their children's lives.

On the one hand, it is important that parents have to bear in mind that being overly-repressive might result in unwanted consequences. There are parents who practically drive their children into joining street gangs because of their over-control. Children may require love and care, but overdoing it can be harmful. Some parents, ever busy working, think erroneously that showering their children with a dose of love fulfils their duty as loving parents. In fact, this may backfire. The children could end up becoming rebels that seek to escape from the stronghold of such love.

On the other hand, the lack of control also has it's share of negativity. For example, a child whose parents do not enforce ample discipline will think that it is perfectly alright to commit a crime whatsoever. Hence it is the parent's responsibility to set good examples for their children so to curb any insouciant behaviour. A good example is the recent study that isolated a common ground for children starting smoking at a young age- their parents are themselves smokers. It is obvious that children learn what is right and wrong from their parents' examples. As a result, one must be sure that one is not leading the children astray by one's own actions.

Most importantly, as impossible as it may sound, achieving a balance between both letting go and holding on is the only ticket to quelling the issue of bad parent-child relationships.

T1 W10 JOURNAL

Ambreal crept quietly to her usual corner. If her employer had any sound from her, he would most likely be unhappy again. Then he might decide to punish her again. Ambreal did not want to even think about that happening. She had just been whipped by his heavily-studded belt for bringing him a cup of coffee, which was deemed cold. She remained repose, as she willed herself not to cry. Crying would not help her; it never did, not ever since the first time she was rained with punches. She did not want to risk a splitting headache for the next few days.

As Mr Low quickly fell asleep on the couch, Ambreal took the opportunity to steal into the bathroom where she could tend to her wounds. As if it didn't hurt, Ambreal washed her wounds under the running tap. She was used to the pain and she felt that there was absolutely nothing to gape about.

Suddenly, a stinging slap on her cheek caused her to fall forward, hitting her forehead on the tap. She lifted herself up and turned around, as she held up her hands to ward off the blows that were being launched my her employer.

Mr Low indicted her and went into a tirade about how she was wasting water to clean herself. He even added on and reviled about her work ethic and attitude. Paying no attention to the searing blows, his derogatory remarks kept reverberating in her mind.

She tried to keep herself sane.

When she woke up, she could only nebulously remember herself collapsing onto the floor before she blacked out.

T1 W9 JOURNAL

Ben was infamous in the neighbourhood for being a cocky and mendacious person. Although he had lived in the same poor part of town as the rest of us, he developed a superior attitude ever since his father won the lottery and the family moved away. However, he still continued attending the same school and my friends and I were forced to put up with his presence.

Each day, he taunted us as he found much to 'pity' us about. From the worn-out shoes and clothes to the meagre lunches we had, he would never fail to find legion of new ways to mock how disadvantaged we all were compared to him. No one liked him, and this became even worse when we realized how selfish he could be.

If there was one thing megalomanic Ben could not beat us in, it was our studies. Within our group of friends, we shared notes that were made from each person's turn at researching materials in the library. This certainly cut down the time for us and ensured that we kept ahead in class. Ben saw this and sorely felt his own inadequacy in keeping up with our progress.

One time, when Jenah was at the library to do the research, she met Ben and saw him lounging insouciantly outside the library. He had a sinister smile on his face and leered triumphantly at her. When she brushed him aside in annoyance, he jeered at her saying, "I'm sure there is a lot of research to be done." With that he strolled off laughing loudly. Jenah was puzzled but walked in quickly and begin her work. She soon found out the reason why Ben was so triumphant. Every required section from the books on their list had been torn out!

When the rest of us found out what had happened, we were outraged. Obviously Ben was not thinking right if he though he would be exonerated. We spared no amnesty and reported Ben to the library authorities.

Finally, Ben got his just deserts when was caught by the librarian during one of his book-tearing sprees. Even then, he blamed us for him landing in such a lousy state. When his parents found out what happened, they were similarly enraged and even argued with our parents. In the end, both parties ended up unhappy, driven apart by one boy's jealousy and selfishness.