The Quaran‘teen’ Blues

Being a teenager with all the hormonal and adrenaline rush is indeed a difficult phase. And now, with schools and colleges shut, social distancing and no physical contact with friends, many teens are missing out on the best days of their life

The Coronavirus lockdown may have been partially lifted in some places, but many families are still experiencing social distancing blues. Each time Neha Chowdhury (49) knocks on the door of her 17-year-old daughter’s room, the reply from inside is: “Stop bothering me”. Teenage tantrums and nagging parents is a deadly combo, especially in these Covid-19 times. Everyone is homebound and grappling with the pandemic. Perhaps it is a tougher transition for adolescents who are unable to vent their feelings or meet their best pals. For teens in love, heartache caused by separation is another excruciating boredom. No wonder they are now dubbed as the ‘quaranteens’.

TEEN TROUBLE

Being a teenager with all that hormonal and adrenaline rush is indeed a difficult phase. With schools and colleges shut, social distancing and no physical contact with friends, many teens are missing out on the best days of their lives. The matter is so grave and universal that even UNICEF has come out with strategies for teens to cope with social isolation during the Corona crisis. “There is no freedom. I feel like a prisoner in my own house. They (parents) are constantly telling me what to do,” says Karan

Singh

(19), an

FYJC student from

Delhi.

Picture used for representational purpose

Nilofer Shaikh (18), a student of Rizvi College, Bandra says, “Staying at home is difficult. I can’t even go out to see my friends in person at the Carter Road promenade. I miss going to college and participating in extracurricular activities.” While teenagers complain of parents scuttling their freedom, many parents are coping with the outcome of the pandemic – taking care of old parents, pay cuts, job loss, hospital bills and loss of dear ones to the deadly virus. “It is tough handling a teenager, especially in these Covid times,” says Alex Fernandes (49), whose travel agency has suffered heavy losses as the tourism industry has been worse hit.

“Each time I or my wife try to talk to our teen son, he literally snarls at us.”

Like everybody else, the lives of many teenagers have started to tailspin because of the pandemic. Neeraj Kumar, a mentorcum-professor and coordinator of Mass Media at Kirti M. Doongursee College, Mumbai has received many distress calls from her students. “Some students are going through a financial crisis. Others are cooped up at home with parents and siblings. Some are enjoying this free time but a majority of them are worried about their exams and future. My final year students are wondering if they will get any jobs once they are out of college,” Neeraj says.

STUDENT VOICES

“There is no freedom. I feel like a prisoner in my own house. They (parents) are constantly telling me what to do,” says Karan Singh (19), an FYJC student from Delhi.

Nilofer Shaikh (18), a student of Rizvi College, Bandra says, “Staying at home is difficult. I can’t even go out to see my friends in person at the Carter Road promenade. I miss going to college and participating in extracurricular activities.”

Since the lockdown, I have been getting distress calls from students. Many final year students are worried about their careers. They wonder if they will get jobs once they are out of college — NEERAJ KUMAR, mentor-professor-coordinator (Mass Media), Kirti College, Mumbai

Social distancing and lockdown is particularly challenging for youngsters. You need to understand that teenagers thrive on social connections. All teenagers have an online life. You cannot police them constantly. Hence, conversation is the best policy with teens — KESANG MENEZES, parent educator and founder, Parenting Matters

Teens are rebellious. Take baby steps. Talk to them. Engage with them. The moment you tell a teenager NOT to do something, he or she will do it. Show concern and start a conversation — MARIA ABRANCHES, teacher-cum-active listener and Befriender

HANDLE WITH CARE

The predicament of young students is palpable. For a minute close your eyes and imagine yourself as a teen.

TURN TO PAGE 13