There was a time when the generation gap was largely a family issue. The phenomenon of the younger generation challenging traditions was particularly widespread in urban India in the 1970s.

As the young of that time became the older generation, the generational conflict within the family lost some of its intensity. But there are signs of the gap taking on a more pernicious form outside the family in several cities. There is now an emerging conflict between the children and the older generation for urban space, with a number of playgrounds in cities such as Bengaluru being turned into parks that provide jogging tracks for adults and other facilities for elders.

Battle for space

In this battle the older ones have a clear advantage. It is in the interests of the elected representatives to woo them as they are the ones with votes. The older generations in the relatively better-off areas are also powerful enough to generate a grossly disproportionate response from the authorities. There has been at least one instance in Bengaluru when the older generation has mobilised the police to drive children away from a park.

Several playgrounds have been used to open coaching camps which charge exorbitant fees. The children whose parents can afford these fees go through elaborate drills where the only competition is often only against themselves. In this adult inspired pursuit of excellence in a particular game — usually cricket — the children actually play very little. They get few opportunities for games where some win and, as a corollary, others lose.

The impact of this trend on Indian sport is obvious. With less access to playgrounds in Indian cities, children find it difficult playing a sport they love, and further exploring their competence in it. Not surprisingly there is a shortage of sportspersons of any quality, let alone those that can meet global standards.

Bad losers

The problem is however not just a matter of sports medals. It is also one of creating generation after generation of Indians who do not know how to compete and risk losing. The fear of losing in the current generation is so deep that it is making its presence felt all around us. It can be seen in the doctored spin friendly cricket wickets we produce.

Building generation after generation which cannot take defeat in its stride has a wider social impact. It contributes to a wider culture where we cannot accept that we may have been wrong. Without the scope for introspection we all just end up pointing fingers at each other. This social practice is so widely accepted that national television cannot risk going beyond debates where a large number of participants shout at each other.

This attitude affects even basic urban practices. It takes no more than common sense to recognise that if households segregate their waste it makes it easier for the public agencies to deal with the garbage problem in a way that causes minimal social distress. But in a situation where we can only point fingers at others there is very little recognition of the role of the individual in addressing the problem. A widespread change in attitudes would be easier if the younger generation is not burdened with a fear of failure that is so deeply entrenched in current Indian adults and elders. We could begin by allowing our children the space to play games of their choice, where winners and losers remain friends for life.

The writer is a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Study, Bengaluru

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