Teach children to respect women instead of sending them for vacation class: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the practice of parents enrolling children in back-to-back extracurricular classes during their summer vacations.

A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan asked how children could enjoy their holidays if they are made to attend extra classes throughout the vacation.

“From the first day of the summer vacation, to the last day of the summer vacation, there are classes for children. Then the school begins. When do they enjoy their summer vacation?” she asked.

The bench also said that vacations could be an ideal time for parents to educate children about values, etiquette and manners and to teach boys about conduct towards girls and women.

“Treat them, give them good etiquette, manners, boys especially, how they should treat girls and women. Parents should teach them instead of sending them to extra classes. That is how the bond will develop between the parents and the children,” she said.

The Court made these observations while hearing a child custody case when counsel for the mother pointed out that the children had to attend extracurricular classes during their summer vacation.

When counsel submitted that such classes were also beneficial for the children’s development, Justice Nagarathna said too many such activities could come at the cost of children spending time with their parents.

“So many classes are also not good. Just sit with them and talk to them. They will become better children, there will be better interaction. Instead of sending them to art class, music class, taekwondo, something else. Instead of that, you take a class with your children,” she said.

The judge further observed that the pressure to enrol children in multiple activities could also become a competition between parents.

“We go on sending them to these classes, and that is also a competition between the parents. I am sending my daughter to this class. I am sending my son to this class. And then eleventh and twelfth, CLAT etc starts. Day and night classes. They won’t have time to bath even then. That is how we are making our children,” she said.

The Court also suggested that the parents come together to celebrate their child’s birthday, despite the custody dispute.

“Child will be most happy if both parents join together in the cutting of the cake and the celebration,” she said.

The mother’s counsel, however, pointed out that she had allegedly faced domestic violence and physical assault and that even the children had allegedly been tutored.

“Anyway, for the birthday we will send,” the counsel said.

The counsel for the husband denied the allegations and said he meets the children only once a year and was in no position to tutor them.

The Court eventually directed both parties to work out an arrangement for shared parenting.