The arrest of a doctor couple in Tiruchirapalli was reported sometime ago for allowing their 15-year-old son to perform a Caesarean operation in their clinic. The 10th grade student, performed the surgery on a 20-year-old mother under the supervision of his father, who is absconding. What made them commit such a grievous mistake? If not for the lure of entering the book of World Records? How could a doctor put a woman’s life under serious risk by allowing his son to perform a surgery which is considered sometimes an “invasive” procedure?
Why are some parents failing to see the pressure their “high ambitions” cause in the young minds of their wards? Why are they shutting out fun and joy from their children’s lives and dangling carrots in front of them to achieve more and more? There are some studies underway about “encouragement and exploitation” by parents and what demarcates the two.
When parents superimpose their dreams and goals on their children, they tend to forget the needs and joys of the children but focus on and cling on to their own. Encouraging children is very important but only if it does not turn into an obsessive disorder. Though today’s world is highly competitive, a child’s world should be kept pure and unsullied as far as possible. Healthy nurturing is very important for a child to grow into a fine adult.
Being pro-active is different from being pushy and demanding. Supporting children’s talents, encouraging them to develop their skills, monitoring their emotional and mental growth, allowing them to pursue their dreams and aspirations — these seemingly “minor” things can give “major” delight and satisfaction to parents, but put children’s life at stake by pushing them into unlawful deeds to gain instant fame and recognition. Psychologists term it as “achievement by proxy disorder” — a syndrome where the parents gain fame, wealth, and recognition through their child’s accomplishments.
When a child is truly exceptional he/she will automatically get recognition and fame without parental manipulation. Anything earned through natural talent and just means will aid in boosting one’s self-esteem. So, for long term benefits parents  must and should avoid falling prey to shortcut methods to earn glory. Some parents who believe that their children are  “miracles” and that all others are worthless, must come out of their illusions. This misconception makes them turn into cut-throat competitors and they push their children into the big world to “conquer” it (by hook or crook).
Children should become “high achievers” only through their own mettle, and those with nerve and pluck need lots of guidance and support to use their intelligence and abilities in a positive way.
Goals are meant to be achieved, but let parents not forget the implications too if something significantly greedy and negative motive is involved. Failures can become stepping stones, but success achieved with wrong intentions and motives can lead to permanent impairment of growth.
Parents could wish that their children and they themselves become  famous but should not try to do so or accelerate it by wrong means.