Life is inherently unpredictable, marked by ups and downs that shape our unique journeys. However, from a young age, we’re often subjected to comparisons by our parents, pitting us against our peers. This practice not only fosters jealousy but also creates distance between us and our loved ones. Along with that, it turns out to become a mentality, an attitude, which affects not only the lifestyle of a person, but also their complete nature and behavior towards his knowns and unknowns.
We’re constantly measured against those who have achieved success before us, leading to hurtful remarks and feelings of inadequacy. This jealousy can drive us to push away our peers and even develop a disdain for their accomplishments. The consequences can be devastating, as evidenced by the alarming number of students who have taken their own lives due to the pressure of meeting parental expectations. These pressures usually affect the teenagers who cannot deal with the mental health and choose ways which hurt them severely – including committing suicide. We have recently seen a growing number of such cases in the medical profession where students are taunted and pressurized in a way that getting a seat becomes the last option left for them.
Mental health has become a pressing concern, with depression and disillusionment affecting individuals from all walks of life. It’s essential to recognize that our outcomes are ultimately beyond our control, and that a higher power has a better plan for us. By acknowledging this, we can surrender our need for control and comparison. Above all, with such a behavior, we can generate a friendly and mature atmosphere around us, making it easy for the children to get away from mental challenges, which, I believe, directly affect the other activities of such children or students. Comparison, in-between, works as a fuel to pushing them towards situations one would always try to refrain from. Remarks as “Look at so and so! How they succeeded and you…” often become leading factors in diverting the mindset of the young souls.
Yet, despite the detrimental effects of comparison, we continue to measure our children against their peers from a young age. This practice can have disastrous consequences, damaging their self-esteem and setting them up for a lifetime of anxiety and competition. All we need to do is to provide them an environment they feel relaxed. Comparison, in any means, will have negative consequences.