The recent incident of a 10-year-old boy groping a woman in Bengaluru has ignited a national conversation on an issue many prefer to sweep under the rug—children and teenagers engaging in acts of harassment amounting to sex crimes.
While society may dismiss such incidents as juvenile mischief, they reflect a deeper systemic problem.
Why are children becoming perpetrators of harassment? Is it due to a lack of moral education, unchecked exposure to harmful content, or societal normalization of disrespect toward women?
Normalization Of Misogyny In Everyday Life
Children do not grow up in isolation—they absorb the environment around them. In India, where casual sexism is woven into daily interactions, children often mirror the toxic behaviour they observe. From abusive language normalized in households to films glorifying stalking as romance, children are exposed to harmful messaging.
A 2022 study by Plan International found that 58% of Indian teenagers believed it was acceptable for boys to tease girls if done “playfully”. This stems from the normalization of misogynistic attitudes, where inappropriate behaviour is excused as “boys being boys“.
Additionally, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported a 17.6% increase in crimes against women by juveniles in 2023, highlighting how ingrained these attitudes have become.
Acts like groping or bullying women may also stem from a misguided assertion of power or dominance. Even at a young age, societal conditioning often positions men as dominant and women as submissive. A child might not fully grasp the implications of their actions but could view it as an exercise in control or rebellion.
Unchecked Exposure To Harmful Media And Internet Content
The proliferation of smartphones and unregulated internet access among minors is another major culprit. From objectifying women in movies to explicit content readily available online, children are increasingly exposed to distorted ideas about gender and relationships.
According to a UNICEF report, 82% of Indian teenagers between 13 and 18 years old have unsupervised access to the internet. With algorithms serving harmful content and peer pressure encouraging the same, children often imitate what they consume without understanding its impact.
Child psychologists stress that unrestricted online access can warp young minds, blurring the line between fantasy and acceptable behaviour.
Lack Of Education On Consent And Respect
In some cases, the act may be an extension of bullying, where the intent is to make the victim feel uncomfortable or ashamed. Societal taboos around women’s bodies and the idea that their worth is tied to modesty can encourage such behaviour. The silence or stigma attached to addressing harassment further emboldens perpetrators, regardless of their age.
Despite the alarming rise in such incidents, conversations about consent and respect remain absent in most Indian schools and households. Sex education, often taboo in India, is limited to biological explanations, ignoring critical lessons about boundaries and mutual respect.
A CBSE survey in 2023 revealed that only 23% of Indian schools include topics like gender sensitivity and consent in their curriculum. This glaring gap leaves children without the tools to navigate interpersonal relationships responsibly.
Social worker Anjali Singh asserts, “If we do not teach children about consent, we cannot expect them to understand its importance. Ignorance leads to harm—both inflicted and suffered.”
Read More: Rohtak Medical Student’s Story Of Abduction Stalking, Torture By Senior
Family Dynamics And Parental Neglect
In many Indian homes, traditional power dynamics discourage open communication between children and parents. As a result, children often learn about relationships and gender roles from unreliable sources. Parents, too, may unknowingly perpetuate harmful stereotypes by treating sons and daughters differently.
Studies by Child Rights and You (CRY) reveal that 65% of Indian parents never discuss gender or relationships with their children. This lack of guidance can lead to misinterpretations of behaviour and embolden inappropriate actions.
Family therapist Sneha Bhat suggests, “Parents must lead by example and create a safe space for conversations about respect and equality.”
Solutions For A Safer Tomorrow
The path forward requires collective effort. Schools must introduce comprehensive gender education programs, and parents should monitor children’s media consumption while fostering open dialogue. Additionally, law enforcement must treat harassment cases seriously, regardless of the perpetrator’s age, to set an example.
One successful model is the Kanoon Ki Paathshala initiative, which educates children in rural India about gender rights and responsibilities. Such programs, if scaled nationally, could transform societal attitudes from the ground up. Moreover, partnerships between NGOs and schools to promote workshops on respect, empathy, and consent can create lasting change.
The Bengaluru incident is not an isolated case; it is a reflection of the systemic failure to instil respect and accountability in young minds. By addressing these root causes—normalization of misogyny, harmful media influences, lack of education, and parental neglect—India can begin to build a society where harassment by anyone, including children, becomes a rarity.
The responsibility lies with all of us, as educators, parents, and citizens, to shape the values of the next generation. Ignoring the issue is no longer an option—our collective action is the need of the hour.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, Deccan Herald
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: childhood harassment, gender education, stop child abuse, social change, consent matters, education for change, end gender bias, respect for women, parenting tips, gender awareness, safe spaces, break patriarchy, equality for all, awareness campaign, teach respect
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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