Teenage rage: punishment not the only solution
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"Don't wait for more tragedies, prepare for correction from this moment," read a line written in this column, and within days, the state has had to hear the news of yet another teenage murder. The tragic news heard from those, including from Thamarassery, indicates that the urgent attention demanded by the Venjaramoodu massacre needs to be given more vigilance and speed. It was a violent gang attack following a dispute between school students that resulted in the death of a student. The wave of violence perpetrated by teenagers on and off campuses has become widespread and frightening. The killing of 15-year-old Shahabas was not accidental; it was precisely planned. The incidents we published yesterday as a snapshot of recent school and college violence also show that even if it does not reach the point of murder, a violent frenzy still excites teenage minds. A private ITI student suffered a broken nose in Palakkad district, a 16-year-old was stabbed by a classmate in Malappuram district, a 10th grader was injured by scissors in Wayanad district, and a 9th grader who committed suicide after being unable to bear the physical and mental abuse from his classmates in Ernakulam district are all victims of what seems to be a similar teenage frenzy. There are similar incidents and trends in other districts. Although this can be seen as part of the overall crime trend in society, adolescence, which is becoming more violent than ever before, deserves special consideration.
Although the issue requires detailed study, some reasons are commonly put forward by various teachers, parents, and experts. One of them is the isolation experienced by teenagers. This is both the cause and effect of the breakdown in family relationships and the lack of care and love from home. Another is the excessive freedom that is widely promoted under the guise of liberalism. In the name of this, the self-control and discipline that should be acquired during adolescence are being destroyed. With the loss of the realization that boundaries and prohibitions are essential for the peace of society, the teenage world of violence has been opened up by drugs and social media reels. There is also a loss of connect with harsh realities; as materialism has entered the perspective of what life is, two things have happened. On the one hand, compassion and empathy for others have been lost; on the other, youth have become weak and cannot bear even the slightest disappointment. The scarcity of good role models from adults is also a reason for the violence among the youth. The party political models on campuses tell students that the goal is to defeat others and win, even by using force. Campus violence is glorified in the name of politics. The feeling is instilled that even mentioning moral values, let alone talking about it, is reactionary.
There are more reasons; most of them are complex. However, the role of society and public institutions in this cannot be denied. If today teenagers have to be charged with murder and imprisoned, then the adult society is also responsible for it. What is the use of creating conditions conducive for youths to easily commit crimes and then punishing those who get embroiled in them? Rules, laws, and systems will have to be put in place to eliminate such situations. We will have to eliminate violence. We will have to change the policy that officially promotes alcohol and drug abuse. Institutions like the Human Rights and Child Rights Commissions, which wake up only after something untoward happens, will have to devise comprehensive prevention plans with greater responsibility. It is urgent to seek solutions that are in line with the realities of life rather than being baffled by the fall. Among them, the role of cultural weapons, including cinema, social media, and politics, must be investigated. The media, including ours, must also conduct serious introspection. Because the accused here are not only the teenagers who have committed any crime without shame and with impunity guaranteed, but also everyone who has led them to that mind-set. This is an issue that the government, civil society, individuals, and organizations must address collectively on priority.
