Teenagers are on the move as responsible citizens for tomorrow. In the future, they will hold the reins of the country and lead it on the path of progress and prosperity. It is of prime importance that they develop into physically strong and mentally balanced adults with the right values inculcated into their minds in the larger interest of the nation and society.

Teenagers are full grown buds, ready to bloom into charming women and robust males all set to join the mainstreams of various spheres of life if nurtured properly, given the right kind of congenial atmosphere with lots of love, care and attention.

It has been observed that when a child approaches teenage, parents heave a sigh of relief thinking wrongly that their parental duty is over because their child has grown up. This is far from the truth. This is the time when they need their parents most. Being extremely vulnerable, they turn to their parents for security and as a sounding board.

They are their anchors, a support base in their lives. Above all, they want their approval or a pat on the back from them for their small achievements like first successful public speaking, debut as captain of the school football team and even on selection as a class monitor goes a long way in boosting their morale. They need to stay connected with their parents.

At this juncture parents must maintain a strong connection with time. Left alone, some teens looking glum stare vacantly; some remain glued to the T.V. while some remain out most of the time among their peers picking their values defying

the norms set by their parents.

Many take to drug to fight depression and fall into wrong hands.

Who is to blame? Teenagers? No, we the elders are to be blamed if things go wrong. I don’t consider teenagers problematic or troublesome. Fault lies with the parents’ attitude. They shrug away their responsibility by putting all the blame on the teens saying they are moody, oppositional and irritable just like the blame is shifted on the poor innocent infant born out of wedlock labeled as ‘illegitimate’ for the fault of his/her parents. Parents don’t take trouble to see the things in the right perspective from the teen’s point of view. In fact, they need counseling more than their children.