India at the cross roads
The current problem as I see it, is that we Indians are passing through a phase which most of the european countries and the USA have passed through before.
Yes, we've heard it before, "India is the land of the kamasutra, why then are Indians so shy of sex?" Yes Indians of yesterday are shy, prefering to keep the physical side of their relationships within the boundaries of their homes. The Indians of today are at the cross-roads. There is a deep desire, among the present generation youth, to imitate the "free lifestyle of the west". There is a growing incidence, not only in the large metropolis but also in small towns, of Public Display of Affection (or what is known as PDA). The generation of the past looks at the PDA as a ugly, gruesome act which should not be Public, but rather Private.
I'm not here to discuss who is right and who is wrong? I'm not defeneding my generation for what they do. Who am I to judge?
Since man is a social animal, it is for both generations to see what is happening, and go with the flow, so to say. Heres what I suggest. What is most imporant, in my opinion is sex education in schools. Children at the tender age (class 10, 11 and 12) should be taught about sex, and what is right and what is wrong at their age. They should be taught about AIDS, and how to prevent it. They should be made responsible citizens. I strongly believe in "Treat them as elders, and they will behave as elders". Lets have faith in them, lets trust them to make the right decisions, but it is the society's resonsibility to provide them with the facts.
As for the flip side, I think the "PDA generation" should understand that they live in a society, and if a part of the society does not like couples showing PDA, then lets not do it. Ok, maybe I was a bit harsh. But my point is, if you are in a crowded area and part of the crowd does not like PDA, then don't do it. Refrain. It's an important word. It's just like if you dont like someone doing something, similarly, maybe they dont like PDA. Lets understand that this is a transitional phase, a difficult one for the generation of the past to accept, so lets not push them!
Who knows what the next generation has in store for us!
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