Rising consumerism leading to stress in kids

If you thought stress is something that is associated with elders, then you are wrong.

With rising consumerism among children in the age group of six-twelve, stress in children is becoming common, say child psychologists.

"Children start expressing from the age of five-six. Since, in the present time, parents tend to buy everything branded for their kids, the kid becomes brand conscious earlier than before. It can be anything from branded high end shoes to even jazzy mobile phones. I blame the parents for rising consumerism among kids since they are the ones who first inculcate such a behavior in the children. And when the the child's wishes are not fulfilled, stress starts creeping in them," says Dr Ekta Sharma, a child psychologist based in the capital.

She adds, that on an average, 40-45% of her clients have stress syndrome.

"Usually, they come with other problems but during the course of examination, one realises that the problems have risen primarily because of stress," says Dr Sharma.

Deepak Raheja, Psychiatrist, AIIMS too agrees to increasing number of stress in children and point out that it is a double edged-sword.

"If a child's friend is using a Nike water bottle which might cost Rs 1000, he too wants it since his friends are using it. A parent might not be having a lifestyle to afford such a bottle but would still give in because, parents feel they owe him the bottle. This leads to over gratification and the child ends up being confused and is caught between two different lifestyles vis-a-vis the one he leads in school and at home," the doctor says.

If a child is not given the bottle, he ends up having severe complex leading to stress," he adds.