"Rude kid", "overconfident", and what not. Ten-year-old Ishit Bhatt, who recently made headlines after appearing as a contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 (KBC) hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, was called many names after his behaviour on the show was deemed inappropriate. A section of social media users even went on to question his parents and their upbringing.
Do you think that the child was at fault? A Chandigarh-based entrepreneur says otherwise. and has requested that internet users show some empathy towards him. According to Shekhar Dutt, the child's behaviour stemmed from a larger parenting concern, called Six-Pocket Syndrome.
Viral Video Of Amitabh Bachchan Dealing With Ishit Bhatt On KBC
When Ishit Bhatt, a class five student from Gujarat, was on the KBC 17 hot seat, he (over)confidently told host Amitabh Bachchan that he should get to the point and not bother at all about narrating the rules as he was well versed with them. He eagerly answered questions without even listening to the options.
Then came a question on Valmiki Ramayana and for the first time, Ishit Bhatt was speechless.
The question was: "What is the name of the first kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana?" Options were - (A) Bala Kanda (B) Ayodhya Kanda (C) Kishkindha Kanda and (D) Yuddha Kanda.
As he didn't know the answer, this time around he asked for options. Call it overconfidence or childishness, he asked Amitabh Bachchan to lock the wrong option (B) Ayodhya Kanda without using a lifeline. He ultimately left the show without any prize money.
This video went viral, and 10-year-old Ishit Bhatt has been part of our dining room conversation since last week, with many praising Amitabh Bachchan for his patience with the boy.
Chandigarh Teacher Comes Out In Support Of Ishit Dutt
Shekhar Dutt, a teacher, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) was one rare voice that urged people to stop "trolling that KBC kid". According to the Chandigarh-based teacher, Ishit Bhatt's behaviour is a reflection of the Six-Pocket Syndrome. This condition, he said, affected China a couple of decades ago and it is now impacting India.
He explained that many couples are choosing to have just one child, who becomes the centre of attraction for the parents and their families. They give in to the child's every demand and don't say no to them, Shekhar Dutt added.
It could not be immediately confirmed whether Ishit Bhatt is a single child.
According to Shekhar Dutt, isolating and trolling Ishit Bhatt might not be the right thing to do as the Six-Pocket Syndrome has now started affecting the society as a whole.
A user supported Shekhar Dutt and wrote, "Most kids are naturally focused on their own thoughts and feelings. It is a part of growing up. As they mature, they gradually learn the beauty of listening to others with patience and respect. It's all a journey of emotional growth, not a flaw."
What Is Six-Pocket Syndrome?
To help you understand the concept of Six-Pocket Syndrome, we reached out to Dr Paramjeet Singh, Parenting Coach and Consultant Psychiatrist, Delhi's PSRI Hospital, and Dr Zirak Marker, Chief Medical Advisor and a renowned Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychiatrist, Mpower, an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust, Mumbai.
Dr Singh explained that Six-Pocket Syndrome emerged as a consequence of the one-child policy in China. It was seen as a negative effect on kids because the child becomes 'the little emperor'.
"The intent for this behaviour is love/care, but it may still teach the child to rely on a source of gratification, inhibit the ability to tolerate frustration, and delay the development of emotional regulation," added Dr Marker.
Both experts believe that a joint family offers a warmer and nurturing environment for a child. "But it is like too many cooks for the same broth," added Dr Singh. He concluded that it depends on the attitude of the parental group, whether joint families turn out as positive or negative factors here.
Dr Marker further explained that when there are multiple caregivers, mutual agreement and decision-making about aligning approaches to boundaries and discipline, which is a goal of every parenting strategy, needs to be a joint effort.
Signs Of Six-Pocket Syndrome And How To Navigate Them
Dr Marker shared a few signs that can indicate that a child might have Six-Pocket Syndrome. These include
- Frequent requests to buy gifts and toys
- Crying when parents do not give in to demands
- Becoming inattentive towards responsibilities
- Possessiveness
- Less empathy
Dr Singh shared a few ways for parents or guardians to navigate the condition
- Set clear boundaries for pocket money, number or price of toys, screen time, etc
- Reward consistency more than just achievements
- Assign responsibility at a young age, including cleaning rooms, setting the dinner table, making the bed, etc
- Identify emotions and learn how to behave in extreme cases
- Balance giving rewards with assigning responsibility
Six-Pocket Syndrome can easily be managed if parents and caretakers don't make the child the sole focus of their living. Instead of giving in to children's every demand, being attentive to what they actually need, setting boundaries, and engaging them in your day-to-day activities can help parents and guardians manage the signs.
Also Read | Video Of "Rude Kid" On KBC 17 Goes Viral, Internet Cannot Stop Praising Amitabh Bachchan