The position of women in society has changed markedly in the last twenty years. Many of the problems young people now experience, such as juvenile delinquency arises from the fact that many married women now work and are not at home to care for their children.
Women now enjoy equal status in society. They are educated and have good degrees. They have career goals, ambition and social status. Women are no more confined to the four walls of the house.
Women also want to earn so as to contribute to the family income. The rising cost and the rising standards of living make it necessary for them to work. People now want a luxurious life. They want to enjoy the comforts.
Parents want to provide good education and a good quality life to their children which is often not possible with one source of income.
Managing a career and children both is a very daunting task. The mother is often fagged out by the time she comes back home. Or her working hours may be long forcing her to stay out of the house for longer hours. Unless other family relatives or members are not there to look after the child, the child may be left in the hands of baby sitters or creches. This problem is acute in nuclear families.
When the mother is not able to pay enough attention to her child, his or her studies or learning is bound to suffer. She cannot possibly be in the know as to what her child may be doing in her absence. The child gets used to being brought up in that manner.
When all by himself the child will but naturally try to engage himself by watching television or surfing on net. He may watch programs that are not healthy for his mind. He may get addicted to porn sites. He may not have the sense of judgement as to what is right or wrong for him.
He can get into touch with strangers through social media. With little understanding about human nature he may make wrong friends. He might be encouraged to do wrong activities like smoking, drinking, watching adult movies or action movies. He will be unconsciously influenced or provoked to do activities that can get into trouble.
Teenagers are very sensitive and impressionable, moody and very gullible. In the absence of parents there is no one to guide them that what they are doing can be wrong. Often the cause of juvenile delinquency is psychological.
Many families in India are switching over to joint family system for the benefit of the children. In a joint family grandparents or other family members are around to look after the children. The children do not feel neglected. They feel loved and cared for.
Finally I would like to conclude that though women can eagerly pursue their career they should spare ample time for their teenaged children. There should be good communication and friendliness so that the children feel free to talk to their parents. Mothers should be alert to the changing needs of growing teenagers. The fathers should be equally supportive and should play the mother’s role as much so the child has two people to depend on. Fathers should be able to find time if the mother is tied up with other responsibilities.
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