JEE Main Exam Pressure Claims Another Young Life: A Growing Concern Overlooked by Parents

Addressing these issues requires a collective effort from parents, educators, and society as a whole. Creating a supportive environment where students feel valued for who they are, rather than just their achievements, is crucial.

"Sorry Mummy Papa, forgive me - I cannot do it." These heart-wrenching words were spoken by a bright young student before she tragically ended her life. The reason? She was unable to achieve the desired marks in the JEE Main, a highly competitive engineering entrance exam.

This incident raises a critical question: Why do students resort to such an extreme measure after failing exams? The answer is complex, but one significant factor is the immense pressure stemming from societal and parental expectations.

In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in suicides among JEE Main and NEET aspirants. These tragic events often arise from a combination of academic pressure and the high expectations placed on students by their families and society.

A Series of Heartbreaking Incidents

The incidences of students taking their lives after failing exams is not new. Each year, many young individuals end their lives after not securing the marks they aimed for. In 2020, a 19-year-old student from Kota, Rajasthan, took his life after failing to clear the JEE Main exam, leaving a note expressing his inability to cope with the pressure. Similarly, a 17-year-old student from Hyderabad ended his life in 2021 after scoring lower than expected in the JEE Main exam. His family conveyed that he had been under immense stress due to high expectations.

A student from Tamil Nadu also committed suicide after failing to secure a seat in a prestigious engineering college through the JEE Main exam. In 2023, a 16-year-old student from Mumbai took his life following struggles with JEE Main preparation. His parents mentioned that he felt anxious about his performance and future prospects. In 2024, a student from Delhi ended his life after failing to qualify for the JEE Main exam. Friends and family noted that he was under constant pressure to succeed and felt overwhelmed by the competition.

The list continues, but the underlying reasons remain the same.

Child Aspirations vs. Parental Pressure

Shikha spoke to a few JEE Main aspirants preparing for exams in the upcoming session. On the condition of anonymity, one student mentions, "I was unsure whether I wanted to study engineering, medicine, or any other field. I am preparing for the JEE Mains because my parents wanted me to do this, especially since someone in our neighborhood cracked the JEE a few years ago and is now working in an MNC."

Another student said, "I don’t know whether I have an interest in science or arts, but I know that cracking the JEE Mains will be very difficult for me. I'm preparing for the JEE Mains solely because my parents aspire for me to get admission to an IIT."

The Dark Side of Society: Silent Killers of Students' Dreams

Students' mental health can be significantly impacted by societal pressure, which can occasionally result in catastrophic events like suicide. One of the main sources of stress for kids is social pressure from high-achieving classmates, which makes them feel extremely pressured to achieve well. They may find it difficult to handle the demands made of them because of their crippling dread of failing and falling short of expectations.

Expectations from parents are also very important. A lot of parents are optimistic about their kids' academic achievement and future employment. These demands might be inspiring, but they can also make pupils feel more stressed. Feelings of inadequacy and despair might result from the overwhelming burden of fearing that they will disappoint their parents.

Social comparison has grown to be a serious issue in the current digital era. Students are constantly comparing themselves to their friends since social media platforms frequently portray an idealized picture of life. They may have low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness as a result of this comparison, believing they fall short of other people's expectations.

Social conventions and cultural expectations regarding success and failure can produce a strict atmosphere where pupils feel under pressure to meet predetermined requirements. If these expectations don't match the students' own interests or skills, they can be particularly difficult, leaving them feeling stuck and unable to follow their genuine passions.

We must reconsider how we approach learning and achievement, making sure that no student feels their worth is solely defined by their exam results.

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