Tag: mental-health

How Strong Family Bonding and Care Shape a Better Society and Drive Long-Term Growth

by Shreyas Trivedi

In my work across sustainability, social development, and community engagement—and through my journey as an author—I have repeatedly observed one simple but powerful truth: strong societies are built on strong families. Yet in our pursuit of economic growth, professional success, and technological progress, family bonding and caregiving are often treated as secondary or “soft” concerns. In reality, they form the hardest and most essential foundation of social stability, emotional health, and long-term societal growth.

Before an individual becomes a professional, a leader, or an active citizen, they first become a family member. Families are the first institutions where we learn trust, communication, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and care for others. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies on human happiness, clearly shows that strong relationships—particularly within families—are the most consistent predictor of long-term well-being and life satisfaction, even more than income, status, or professional success. This insight reminds us that emotional foundations laid at home quietly shape how people engage with the world.

Emotional security within families directly translates into resilience in society. The World Health Organization reports that nearly one in eight people globally live with a mental health condition, and India is witnessing a sharp rise in stress, anxiety, and loneliness, especially among youth and the elderly. Research consistently indicates that individuals who grow up with emotional safety, active listening, and dependable support are better equipped to handle failure, make balanced decisions, and form healthy relationships. Emotionally secure homes, therefore, do not just raise happier individuals; they create emotionally intelligent societies.

Caregiving within families—whether for children, elders, or vulnerable members—is one of the most undervalued contributors to social growth. UNICEF highlights that children raised in caregiving environments develop higher empathy, better social behaviour, and stronger moral reasoning. In the Indian context, families that actively care for elders often pass on values of patience, respect, and responsibility through daily lived experience rather than formal teaching. Through my own observations and interactions on the ground, I have seen how caregiving families nurture individuals who later emerge as ethical leaders, compassionate professionals, and responsible citizens.

Strong family bonding also plays a critical role in maintaining social stability. Sociological studies across countries show that communities with cohesive family structures experience lower crime rates, reduced violence, and higher levels of trust and cooperation. The OECD has further noted that robust social support systems, beginning with families, significantly reduce long-term public expenditure on healthcare, rehabilitation, and welfare. This clearly positions family bonding not only as a moral or cultural value, but as a strategic social investment.

The link between family stability and economic growth is equally important, though often overlooked. Studies indicate that individuals with strong family support systems demonstrate higher workplace engagement, lower burnout, and better decision-making abilities. Stable family environments reduce healthcare costs, workplace absenteeism, and long-term dependency on social systems. Far from slowing progress, strong families enable sustainable economic growth by producing emotionally balanced and resilient contributors to the workforce.

India today stands at a critical social transition point. The decline of joint families, increasing urban migration, weakening intergenerational bonds, rising elder loneliness, and growing parenting stress are becoming visible across urban and semi-urban landscapes. While modernization and mobility are essential for progress, the erosion of family bonding comes with hidden costs that surface later as mental health challenges, social alienation, and fragmented communities. The challenge before us is not to choose between tradition and progress, but to consciously integrate care, connection, and bonding into modern lifestyles.

Sociologists describe this invisible glue that holds societies together as social capital—trust, shared values, and cooperation. Families are the first creators of this social capital. When families function well, communities become more resilient, institutions become more humane, and growth becomes inclusive and sustainable. When families weaken, society pays the price emotionally, socially, and economically.

As someone deeply engaged in sustainability and social impact work, I believe it is time to rethink what we truly mean by growth and development. Progress should not be measured only in GDP figures or infrastructure milestones, but also in mental well-being, quality of relationships, empathy in leadership, and care for the vulnerable. If we want a better future, we must invest as intentionally in strengthening families and caregiving cultures as we do in technology, policy, and economic systems.

Through my writing and social work, I have learned that values taught quietly at home often shape the world far more powerfully than lessons taught loudly outside. Strong families do not merely raise successful individuals; they raise good human beings. And societies led by good human beings do not just grow—they flourish.

When Love Turns Into Laziness: The Hidden Cost of Modern Parenting

by Shreyas Trivedi

We live in an era where many parents proudly say, “My child knows how to use a smartphone better than me.”
But beneath that pride lies a silent concern — are we giving them access or addiction?

In the race to keep children engaged, entertained, or “tech-savvy,” many parents have unknowingly traded genuine connection for digital convenience. We’ve built a generation that gets everything easily — but values nothing deeply.

The Growing Dependence on Screens

According to a 2024 Common Sense Media report, children aged 8 to 12 spend nearly 5 hours daily on screens, while teenagers average 8 hours or more, excluding schoolwork.
In India, a LocalCircles survey found that 78% of parents regret giving smartphones too early, citing screen addiction, lack of discipline, and social withdrawal as the biggest consequences.

We’re raising children who can swipe before they can write — and that’s not progress, it’s a warning.

The Instagram & Anime Effect: Copying What They See

Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and anime content have become the new “teachers” of behavior for young minds.
These short bursts of visual content — fast, flashy, and addictive — are shaping how kids talk, dress, think, and even behave.

Many children mimic dialogues, expressions, and mannerisms they see in anime characters or influencers. While creativity and imagination are valuable, the issue arises when they start confusing imitation with identity.

They learn that being loud equals confidence, disrespect equals independence, and popularity equals success.
It’s a dangerous illusion — one that replaces emotional intelligence with performative behavior.

A study by Pew Research Center (2023) revealed that nearly 60% of teens admit to feeling pressure to look “cool” online, and 1 in 3 feel anxious if their content doesn’t get enough likes or views.

This is not entertainment, it’s mental conditioning.
And our children are absorbing it silently.

When Boundaries Disappear

In many homes today, respect for the elderly often feels like an outdated idea.
Children no longer hesitate to argue, raise their voice, or roll their eyes when corrected. They want to stay in their rooms, isolated with their screens, and view any parental involvement as interference.

The word “boundaries” has turned into “restrictions.”
And the concept of family discipline has been replaced by “personal space.”

But true growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through conversations, disagreements, and learning to respect differing opinions, something no screen can teach.

Comfort Without Character

As parents and elders, we often believe we’re giving our children a “better life” by providing everything they ask for. But in reality, we might be giving them too much comfort and too little challenge.

When every desire is met instantly, new gadgets, clothes, or entertainment, children stop valuing patience, effort, and gratitude.
They start expecting life to be as easy as swiping a screen.

But life doesn’t work like that.
And when it doesn’t, they feel lost, angry, and unprepared.

Parenting Is Not About Convenience — It’s About Character

Good parenting isn’t about keeping children happy all the time.
It’s about preparing them for real life, where not every “yes” is instant, and not every “no” is unfair.

  • Say no when necessary.
  • Set time limits for screens.
  • Encourage family meals, outdoor play, and storytelling.
  • Teach gratitude and respect by example.

Children learn far more from what they see than what they’re told.
If we spend our evenings scrolling, we silently tell them that digital life matters more than real life.

A Wake-Up Call for Modern Parents

Let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves:

  • Do our children know how to wait?
  • Do they respect elders without being reminded?
  • Do they spend more time with people or with screens?

If the answers worry you, it’s time to act.

Because one day, these same children will grow up, and they won’t remember the expensive gadgets we gave them.
They’ll remember whether we were present, whether we listened, and whether we taught them what truly matters.

Let’s Bring Back the Real World

In trying to make our children’s lives easy, we’ve accidentally made their hearts empty.
They have everything, except the ability to value it.

It’s time we bring back conversations, boundaries, and respect.
It’s time we teach them to strike a balance between technology and humanity.
Because the future doesn’t depend on the apps they use, it depends on the values we instill today.

From Screen to Scene: The Impact of Action and Brutality in Movies on Young Minds – Reflections from the Ahmedabad Tragedy

by Shreyas Trivedi

Introduction – When Reel Becomes Real

Cinema and storytelling have always been powerful media to shape our imagination, emotions, and culture. For decades, films have entertained us with drama, comedy, romance, and action. However, in the past two decades, there has been an undeniable surge in action-heavy, brutal, and violent content, not only in films but also on OTT platforms, web series, and even video games. What makes this concerning is not just the rising popularity of such content but also its impact on young, impressionable minds.

Adults often watch violent films and walk away unaffected, separating fiction from reality. Teenagers and children, however, live in a world where lines between reel and real are blurred. Their curiosity, coupled with a lack of emotional maturity, makes them vulnerable to absorbing violence as an acceptable way of expressing anger or gaining power. The tragic incident in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in August 2025, where a Class 10 student was fatally stabbed by his Class 8 junior outside their school, serves as a painful reminder that what we feed into young minds—through media, peer culture, and society—can sometimes manifest in the ugliest ways.

The Ahmedabad Case – A Harsh Wake-Up Call

The Ahmedabad school tragedy shook not just the local community but the entire country. A minor dispute between two boys escalated into an unthinkable crime. A 14-year-old Class 8 student stabbed his 16-year-old senior, leading to the latter’s death just outside the school campus. What made the case even more disturbing was the alleged mishandling by the school authorities. Instead of calling an ambulance immediately, reports suggest that a water tanker was summoned to wash away bloodstains, as if cleaning the ground was more important than saving a life. This sparked widespread anger, protests by parents, and raised questions about the priorities of educational institutions.

Further investigation revealed WhatsApp chats of the accused boy, where he spoke about stabbing in an almost casual manner, describing it as something not very serious. This flippant attitude toward such a grave act was alarming and hinted at something deeper—the desensitization of violence among youth. When murder is treated as a joke in casual conversation, it shows how normalized brutality has become in certain peer circles.

The incident is not just about one boy’s mistake. It reflects institutional negligence, lack of conflict-resolution systems in schools, absence of mental health support, and most importantly, a larger cultural acceptance of aggression, often glorified by entertainment media.

Why Movies and Media Influence Young Minds So Strongly

Children and teenagers are not just passive consumers of media; they are active absorbers. Their brains are still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and impulse control. This makes them more prone to imitating behaviors they see repeatedly. When violent heroes dominate screens, when power is shown to be achieved through aggression, and when brutal acts are portrayed without consequences, youngsters begin to internalize that narrative.

Films and OTT content today are saturated with imagery of revenge, bloodshed, and ruthless survival. Heroes are often celebrated not for patience or dialogue but for their ability to overpower enemies through violence. While such content may serve as adrenaline-filled entertainment for adults, it sends confusing signals to adolescents, who may see violence as both glamorous and effective. Psychologists describe this as the Social Learning Effect—the process by which people model behaviors they observe, especially if those behaviors appear to bring rewards such as respect, fear, or dominance.

Over time, this leads to desensitization. A teenager who watches multiple brutal fight sequences or gun battles may no longer feel shocked by blood, injuries, or even murder. Instead, they may laugh it off, discuss it casually, or worse, experiment with it. This phenomenon was disturbingly evident in the Ahmedabad case, where the accused’s casual attitude toward stabbing showed a lack of emotional depth about the seriousness of his act.

The Psychology of Violence Consumption

Several psychological concepts help explain how constant exposure to violent content impacts young people.

  1. Desensitization – When violence is repeatedly shown on screen, the shock value diminishes. Youngsters stop reacting emotionally to brutality, treating it as normal.
  2. Normalization – If heroes in films solve problems with fists, knives, or guns, violence begins to appear as a legitimate solution to conflicts. Over time, aggression becomes a socially acceptable behavior in peer groups.
  3. Moral Disengagement – Violent media often distances viewers from the moral implications of actions. For example, a hero killing dozens of people is justified because he is “fighting for justice.” Adolescents may copy this rationalization, thinking their aggression is also justified in certain contexts.
  4. Identity Formation – Teenagers are in the process of defining who they are. If their favorite hero is an action star who commands respect through violence, they may subconsciously adopt similar traits to appear “cool” or powerful among peers.
  5. Impulse Control Issues – Since adolescents already struggle with emotional regulation, exposure to cinematic aggression can act as a trigger. A small fight in real life can quickly spiral into dangerous aggression, as seen in the Ahmedabad incident.

The Broader Social Ecosystem

While it is easy to blame movies alone, the reality is more complex. Violence in media interacts with social, family, and educational factors. A teenager exposed to brutality in films but guided by strong family values and effective school support systems may still navigate it safely. However, when combined with bullying, lack of counseling, peer pressure, and institutional apathy, media violence becomes a dangerous ingredient.

In Ahmedabad, allegations of bullying surfaced soon after the tragedy. The younger boy reportedly faced issues with his senior, and instead of conflict resolution, it escalated into aggression. If the school had systems to address disputes, if there were regular counseling sessions, or if students were educated about handling anger constructively, perhaps the outcome could have been different.

The Responsibility of Media Creators

Filmmakers and content creators have a profound responsibility. Entertainment should not come at the cost of social damage. While it is unrealistic to expect cinema to completely avoid violence, what matters is how violence is framed. If brutality is shown as glamorous and consequence-free, it encourages mimicry. But if it is shown with realistic consequences—trauma, guilt, punishment—it becomes a cautionary tale rather than an inspiration.

Moreover, content rating systems must be strictly enforced. OTT platforms often allow minors to access shows far beyond their age appropriateness. Parents, too, must be conscious of what their children are watching. A violent web series that might be harmless fun for a 30-year-old can be deeply damaging for a 13-year-old struggling to define his worldview.

What Schools and Parents Can Do

The Ahmedabad tragedy has forced us to rethink our approach. Beyond blaming media, it is crucial to strengthen the ecosystem around children.

  • Conflict Resolution Training: Schools must introduce programs that teach children how to resolve disputes without aggression. Role-play exercises, group discussions, and peer mediation can help.
  • Counseling and Mental Health Support: Regular sessions with psychologists should be part of every school’s infrastructure. Early signs of aggression, isolation, or troubled behavior must not be ignored.
  • Parental Guidance: Parents need to be more aware of their children’s media consumption. Open conversations about what they watch, how they feel about it, and why real life is different from reel life can bridge the gap.
  • Emergency Response Preparedness: Schools should prioritize saving lives over saving reputation. Clear protocols for emergencies—ambulance first, investigation later—must be non-negotiable.
  • Media Literacy Education: Teaching students to critically evaluate films, shows, and online content can empower them to see through the glorification of violence. They should be taught to ask: Is this behavior acceptable in real life? What are its consequences?

Moving Forward – Building a Culture of Empathy

At the heart of this discussion is a need to reintroduce empathy into the lives of young people. Violence thrives when compassion is absent. Films and shows that celebrate kindness, problem-solving, resilience, and dialogue should receive as much attention as those filled with brutality. Society must collectively shift from glorifying power through fear to valuing power through respect and collaboration.

The Ahmedabad case should not be remembered merely as a statistic in juvenile crime. It must be remembered as a turning point—a call to parents, educators, media creators, and policymakers to take responsibility for shaping young minds. We cannot afford to treat these incidents as isolated. They are warnings of a deeper cultural crisis, one that requires collective action.

Conclusion

Violence in movies alone may not directly cause violent behavior, but it is undoubtedly a contributing factor in a larger web of influences. When children consume content that glorifies brutality without consequence, when schools fail to provide safe conflict-resolution mechanisms, and when parents ignore the warning signs, tragedies like Ahmedabad become inevitable.

The time has come to rethink what kind of stories we tell, what values we reinforce, and what lessons we leave for our children. Do we want a generation desensitized to cruelty, or do we want empathetic individuals who choose dialogue over destruction? The answer will define not just our children’s future but the very fabric of our society.

The Power of Self-Confidence: Learning to Trust Your Inner Voice

by Shreyas Trivedi

Self-confidence is one of the most powerful qualities a person can develop. It’s not just about believing in your abilities — it’s about having the courage to stand by your decisions, even when the world seems to suggest otherwise.

For a long time, I have believed that the more you ask others for their opinions, the more confusion and conflict you invite into your life. People naturally love to give advice, and often, their opinions come from their own perspectives, biases, and desires to prove a point. It’s rarely about what’s best for you — it’s about what they think is best, or what validates their own beliefs.

In that sense, I’ve always felt that there should be a form of dictatorship in your own mind. Harsh as it may sound, sometimes your inner voice should be the only one that matters. If you keep asking others for validation, you’ll constantly be pulled in different directions. Your focus will shift, your clarity will blur, and you might even start doubting your instinct, which leads you to poor decisions or wasted time.

Even in organizations, I’ve noticed something interesting: the most successful teams often have a clear decision-maker. Leadership doesn’t mean you ignore everyone else, but rather, that you don’t let a flood of opinions derail the goal. When every small choice becomes a group discussion, productivity suffers. Too many cooks, as they say, spoil the broth.

But recently, I came across a thought that made me pause. Someone said to me, “Suno sab ki, karo khud ki” meaning, listen to everyone, but do what your heart says. This philosophy beautifully balances openness and decisiveness. Listening doesn’t mean surrendering your power; it means being open to perspectives, learning, and evolving. But in the end, the final decision must be yours.

Here’s the catch: this approach demands immense self-confidence. It requires inner strength to hear conflicting opinions without getting swayed, to absorb information yet stay centered, and to act without fear of judgment or failure.

Not everyone can do this easily. Those who get easily influenced by others’ opinions might find themselves lost in the noise. For such people, perhaps it’s better to first develop self-confidence before opening the door to external influence. Otherwise, the result might be confusion, distraction, and regret.

So how do you build self-confidence?

  1. Know Yourself: Understand your values, goals, and what truly matters to you. The more clarity you have about who you are, the less you’ll rely on others to tell you what to do.
  2. Trust Your Gut: Intuition is powerful. Learn to recognize that inner voice and distinguish it from fear or ego.
  3. Accept Failure: Confidence doesn’t mean always being right. It means being willing to take a stand, learn from the result, and grow.
  4. Limit Opinions: Not every opinion is valuable. Choose your circle wisely — surround yourself with people who add value, not noise.
  5. Take Action: The more you act on your own decisions and see positive outcomes, the more your confidence grows.

In the end, self-confidence is about freedom — freedom from self-doubt, from overthinking, and from the need to please others. It allows you to walk your own path, even when it’s lonely or uncertain.

Remember, listen to all, but follow your own heart — and make sure your heart is strong enough to lead the way.

The Hard Truth About Family: When Standing Together Isn’t the Same as Being There

by Shreyas Trivedi

We grew up in India believing that family is everything. That no matter how tough life gets, family will be your safety net — always ready to catch you before you fall. That when the world questions you, your family will defend you. That in every major celebration or crisis, they will stand by your side — unshaken, unwavering.

And in many ways, they do.

Weddings, festivals, housewarmings, birthdays — you’ll never find yourself alone during these events. Relatives you haven’t seen in years will show up. Uncles will crack the same old jokes. Aunties will sit in circles and exchange stories. Cousins will rehearse a dance together. In-laws will smile and bless you like you’re one of their own. It all feels beautifully overwhelming — like one large emotional ecosystem moving in harmony.

But what happens when the music stops?

What happens when you don’t follow the expected script — when you choose something unconventional? When did you leave your corporate job to start your own business? When do you decide to pause everything and take care of your mental health? When you fail, fall, or simply take a path they don’t understand?

That’s when silence sets in.

Not always out of cruelty. Sometimes out of discomfort. Often out of fear. But mostly because we’ve mistaken being present at functions for being present in life.

Your uncles, who were front row at your engagement, now avoid asking how your startup is going. Your cousins who made Instagram reels with you at the wedding don’t check in when you disappear for a week. Your in-laws, who call you ‘beta,’ don’t ask why your eyes look tired in every family Zoom call. And even your parents — loving as they are — sometimes can’t understand why you’re not “normal” anymore.

Support becomes seasonal. Conditional. Social, not emotional.

We’re surrounded by people, yet feel utterly alone.

Because we’ve created a culture where the performance of the family is prioritized over the practice of care. Where being there means attending a ceremony, but not sitting down for a real, raw conversation. Where we confuse the number of people at a function with the number of people who actually ask, “How are you really doing?”

And in that gap — between what is shown and what is truly felt — lies a deep loneliness. A kind of ache that doesn’t come from lack of love, but from lack of emotional availability.

We don’t talk about it enough, but we must. Because this is how mental health quietly deteriorates. This is how people, even in the middle of large families, slip into depression. This is how suicides happen — not because people are weak, but because they feel unseen in a room full of people who claim to care.

Family is not just your parents or your siblings. It’s your entire ecosystem — your uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws — people who play major roles in shaping your emotional world. Their silence matters. Their absence during tough times stings. Their inability to ask the right questions can sometimes push someone to the edge.

And support isn’t only about checking in when things go wrong — it’s also about cheering when someone tries something new.

When a cousin starts an Instagram page or YouTube channel, don’t just scroll past — like it, share it, leave a kind comment.
When your niece launches a small business, don’t just wait to see if it succeeds — talk about it in your groups, connect her with someone, and show genuine interest.
When your brother posts about a job requirement on LinkedIn, write two thoughtful lines of appreciation, share it in your network, and ask him about it next time you call.

These small gestures take seconds, but they tell a person, “I see you. I believe in you.”

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say to someone is, “I’m proud of you.”

Say it over a call. Send it in a message. Let them hear it from you, not just strangers on the internet.

To the ones who are building something from scratch — the entrepreneurs, the creators, the silent warriors of new beginnings — you are not alone in feeling this way. And it’s okay to expect more from your family.

And to those who are part of this vast family web, if you truly love someone, don’t wait for an occasion.
Be the first to clap when they try, not just when they win.
Be the one who notices their courage, not just their achievements.

Let’s redefine what support means. Let’s stop mistaking being around for being present. Let’s stop saying “We’re always there for you” and start proving it.

Let’s make family mean something more — something real.