Former students’ associations organising annual dances during the festive season is a long-standing tradition, and it is generally a good thing as it brings former students together and helps revive old memories. However, in recent years, some schools and institutions have started organising dances and fetes in the evening, exposing young minds to late-night entertainment, which raises concerns. With easy access to mobile apps, inappropriate content, and violent movies, the world is becoming increasingly toxic. In such an environment, parenting is already a difficult task, and these trends only add to the stress.
It appears that schools are organising these events to raise funds. But is it wise to do so at the cost of exposing young minds to such influences? These events, especially for teenagers who are exploring the world, introduce them to nightlife rather than helping them manage their already confused thoughts. It also encourages them to form temporary relationships for the evening, as these school events provide the perfect opportunity for children to be out late with friends, leaving parents in a difficult situation.
A casual conversation among teenagers might reveal phrases like, “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” If the answer is no, the response is often, “Oh! There’s something wrong with you.” Surveys show that these events often lead to arguments and tensions between boys and girls, sometimes due to male chauvinism, and can even lead to unfortunate incidents. The real victims in these situations are the parents and the children themselves.
Is the purpose of sending children to school to teach them these behaviours, or is it to help them grow into responsible citizens with leadership qualities who can stand out as respectable members of society? Schools should seriously consider this question.
