Bhubaneswar, April 10: The suicide of 20-year-old Swayamprabha Rout, a first year student of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, allegedly due to the burden of parental expectations, has sent shockwaves across the state.

While youngsters resorting to such extreme steps in the face of poor academic results is not uncommon, the recent spurt in the number of suicide cases is being viewed as a disturbing social trend.

“Both parents and children should realise that marks do not reflect one’s competency. Teachers should not put unnecessary pressure on students and evaluate them just on the basis of marks. The job market now demands various skills and good grades do not always land you the job of your dreams,” said Navneeta Rath, sociology professor at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.

Senior reader in psychology at BJB Autonomous College, Jahanura Begum, agreed with Rath’s opinion: “Parents should give more time to their children, understand their problems and weaknesses. Instead of comparing them with their more studious classmates, they should focus on identifying their child’s strength and help him/her work towards it.

“If they are setting a target for their children, they should see whether they are providing the necessary support system or not. On the other hand, children should take their parents’ scolding in the right spirit,” said Begum, stressing on proper counselling for parents and their wards.

Private tutor Soumyajit Mohanty said the growing trend of suicides among the youth could be checked to some extent with moral support from parents and teachers during stressful times.

“The mindset of people has to change. One bad exam does not mean the end of the world. It is more important to make a child a better human being and not another rat in this rat race for good marks.

“One must understand and accept the fact that that every child is different in abilities, personality, capabilities and thinking. Examinations cause great anxiety and it is at this time that children need emotional support to face the stress,” he added.

For parents who are at their wits end and are at a loss how to motivate their children to perform better without putting any pressure on them, here’s some advice from Rajashree Mohanty, mother of an 18-year-old college goer:

“It is our responsibility to create a proper ambience for children to study. Putting pressure only makes matters worse and we should learn also to accept their failures,” says Mohanty.

Another parent, Saroj Kumar Mishra, said: “Parents who have not achieved what they wanted often burden their children with their dreams, aspirations and frustrations. And the end result is a disconnect between what parents want and what their children are capable of. They should identify their child’s area of interest and give them a free hand to pursue that.”