90% of who we are is a product of our upbringing. The perspective of right and wrong, is what we learn quite early. This forms majority of the behaviours we exhibit and the prism through which we view our peer’s behaviours even as we happily experiment in our youth because we are young. The thing I fear the most is the loss of that early innocence when I knew clearly what was right and wrong.

Take for example I knew that immoral or wicked behaviours is the dictionary definition of a 'vice'. Alcohol, drugs, cigarettes was a vice I knew and was told. When I look around the world today I question, are they really vices? Yes, cigarettes kill in the long run. Alcohol and drugs are also harmful. But aren’t enough people out there taking all or one of them as “personal choices”. If its wrong then who gave them that choice?  90% of our youth is tied up in cigarettes. There’s no law against it. Till the 60's cigarettes were just the thing to do. No one knew they'd kill!  Alcohol's another beast altogether. Drinks at a party, free booze for women, sons drinking with their fathers. So ingrained in social niceties that one almost forgets it comes from ethanol which is lethal.

Drugs like heroin, Cocaine etc. are incredibly addictive and harmful substances. There is no denying this. Yet, when it comes to drugs like Marijuana(Pot), LSD( Acid) and Magic mushrooms(shrooms), people are more relaxed to say the least. Lord Shiva apparently ‘smoked up’. Cancer patients are prescribed marijuana tea to increase their appetite. Some countries have even made it legal. Yet recreational use in some places is illegal. Acid and shrooms are hallucinogens. “To open the doors of perception is to glance at the infinity of existence.”  William Blake said this. His reference to Acid. Almost romanticising these drugs. I personally don't mind in the least, if these substances are banned. But then, why not alcohol and cigarettes as well? Because they’re just too profitable. How can someone buy a box of cigarettes which basically yells out the fact that it kills! Its wrong. Isnt it ? The youth today has picked up so many things along the way that it is impossible to remain non-indulgent. Peer pressure. Personal problems. Academic stress. Professional failure.

So many things plague the minds of our youth, is it really a wonder that they look for a reprieve? And should they venture into forbidden territory in search of their reprieve, they are penalized. Is that right ? . Its plain and simple hypocrisy. It is society that has given birth to these issues and as the youth we make an important component of this society.  Have we even considered the possibility that most of our youth indulges in all these things, because they think it is part of growing up? “My dad does it. Looks so cool!” Where simple reason could be applied, tradition kicks in. Is this the kind of culture we want to give our kids? And then how can we be so harsh when all they want to do is emulate their elders. Is it a wonder then,that we soak in all of society's characteristics, not just the “good stuff”? Its something the society should address., in my opinion. But it doesn’t. No one does. The cacophony continues.

Amidst all of this, the thing I fear the most is losing my own perspective of what is right and what is wrong.