Prof. T K Thomas Apr 7, 2020, Today [7thApril] is World Health Day. This year’s observation of the Day has heightened significance as the whole world is combating the deadly coronavirus. It was only on Sunday that the nation heeded to the appeal of our Prime Minister and at 9PM, for 9 minutes switched off lights in homes and lit candles, ‘diyas’ and switched on mobile torches. There was an overwhelming response and we witnessed the Deepawali illumination in April. This was the second instalment of a nation in unison highlighting people’s resolve to be united in their determination to fight the deadly virus despite the usual dissenting voices. It is another matter that people in some areas, including where I stay in Delhi, in their over enthusiasm added the sounds of Diwali also, bursting crackers and raising slogans. Fortunately, everyone, with the exception of some in-disciplined ones, is following the lockout norms which hopefully would yield th...
What Is Parent Abuse? We have all heard of child abuse and how children are damaged by this terrible behavior, and you only have to Google "child abuse" to find page after page of information, support groups, and advice on this subject, but, how many people have heard of parent abuse? Especially at the hands of teenage children with serious social interaction and violence issues? Google it. You won't find much, except on a few support sites. Parent abuse occurs when the child commits an act or acts against the parent through manipulation, control, and intimidation in order to exert control and have power over the parent. According to Barbara Cottrell in the book When Teens Abuse Their Parents, parent abuse can be defined as "any harmful act of a teenage child intended to gain power and control over a parent." Though it should be noted that children of any age (whether pre-teen or adult) can commit parent abuse, not just teenagers. It's a growing problem...