Keeping tales at bay

Building Trust

It is natural for youngsters to hang out with friends after college hours. They hang out normally in groups. However, sometimes, when a girl and a boy happen to go out together and are spotted by relatives or neighbours, it reaches the parents’ ears.

Sometimes parents are broad minded enough to understand their friendship, sometimes they aren’t.  Souparnika, a commerce student, faced such a problem when she was in college.

“One day, my friend took me to college on his bike as I couldn’t get a bus on time. When I reached home in the evening, a bit late than usual, my father was ready to interrogate me as he received a complaint from a relative about a guy giving me a ride on his bike.

My parents warned me that if they get another complaint, I will have to remain at home.” It left a profound impact on Souparnika and she felt humiliated. “I could not forget that incident and waited for a chance to pay it back to my relative who complained to my parents. When I got a good job, the same relative asked my hand for his son. I rejected the proposal,” she says.

On the face of it, the problem does not seem like a big one but it can break trust between parents and children. “There is nothing wrong in informing parents when children are on the wrong path. But some people complain for the sake of fun,’’ says Lisha, a marine biology student.

“I had a neighbour whose daughter was studying with me. I always stood first and she used to come second. Her jealous mother started gossiping about me and even complained to my parents that I was having an affair with my classmate,” recalls Lisha.

So do how you escape when you get into such trouble? “Never lie to parents,” says Shri Laksmi, a BBM student. “Whenever you make friends with new people, inform about this to your folks at home. When you go out with your friends, take the permission of your parents. If we give them feedback of our activities, parents will never trust those who are complaining,” she says.

Misba, a management student, too moots the same idea. “I am not against people exchanging information about their children but it should be done in healthy manner and should not be humiliating for anyone. Youngsters, who are away from home, should be more careful. As they are out of their parents’ sight, it is easy for parents to believe what others have to say. So, be loyal to yourself do only what seems right to your conscience,” she quips.