Breaking Free from Forced Prestige: Empowering Our Kids to Choose Their Paths for Mental Stability

In a heartbreaking incident today, September 30, 2025, a 22-year-old NEET aspirant in Bilaspur took his own life, reportedly due to extreme exam stress and depression. This tragedy is not isolated—India is grappling with a student suicide epidemic. Every hour, a student in India dies by suicide, with over 13,000 such cases reported last year alone. Students account for 7.6% of the country's total suicides, and exam failure contributed to 2,248 deaths in 2022, a figure that's only rising. In coaching hubs like Kota, 14 student suicides have been reported so far in 2025. What's driving this crisis? Often, it's the relentless pursuit of "prestige"—parents and society pushing children into high-stakes paths like medicine or engineering, at the cost of their mental health.

As a society, we must ask: Is prestige worth our children's lives? It's time to save the next generation by letting kids choose their own paths, prioritizing mental stability over societal approval.

The Prestige Trap: How It Harms Our Kids

In middle-class Indian families, prestige has long been the ultimate goal. Careers in medicine, engineering, or civil services are seen as badges of success, promising respect, stability, and social standing. But this obsession creates immense pressure. A 2025 study found that at least 12% of surveyed students battled suicidal thoughts, largely due to performance anxiety. More than half of students cite exams as their biggest stressor, compounded by parental expectations and financial worries.

This "forced prestige" stems from fear—fear of falling behind, of judgment from relatives, or of economic insecurity. Parents, often projecting their unfulfilled dreams, funnel kids into coaching centers worth over ₹60,000 crore annually, where students are treated as revenue sources rather than individuals. The result? Isolation, burnout, and despair. A recent analysis shows a concerning rise in suicides among coaching aspirants, with 44.45% experiencing high academic stress. When kids feel trapped in a "do-or-die" system, temporary failures become permanent tragedies.

But prestige is a myth. Many "prestigious" graduates face unemployment or dissatisfaction, while alternative paths offer fulfillment and security without the mental toll.

Letting Kids Choose: Paths to Income, Autonomy, and Legacy

Imagine a world where success isn't measured by exam ranks but by what truly matters: income for financial independence, autonomy for control over one's life, and legacy for meaningful impact. By letting kids optimize for these, we foster mental stability and resilience.

Consider alternatives often dismissed as "lesser":

• Skilled Trades: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and masons can earn ₹30,000–₹50,000 monthly in urban areas, often starting their own businesses for autonomy. These roles build tangible legacies—homes, infrastructure—that society needs.
• Healthcare Support: Paramedics, lab technicians, nurses, and nutritional counselors offer stable incomes (₹25,000–₹40,000 starting) with global opportunities. They save lives daily, creating a profound legacy without NEET's cutthroat competition.
• Logistics and More: Skilled drivers or logistics workers thrive in India's booming e-commerce sector, projected to hit $330 billion by 2025. These jobs provide flexibility and growth, far from the rigid prestige paths.

These careers require shorter training and lower stress, allowing kids to pursue passions without sacrificing well-being. Parents can guide by exploring interests through aptitude tests or internships, not dictating choices.

Practical Steps for Parents: Building Mental Stability

Shifting from prestige to empowerment starts at home. Here's how:

1. Open Dialogues: Share your own "non-prestigious" journey. Discuss "what if" scenarios—failure isn't the end; it's a pivot point.
2. Expose Alternatives: Attend career fairs or workshops featuring tradespeople and healthcare workers. Use resources like Skill India or NEP 2020's vocational programs to show viable options.
3. Prioritize Mental Health: Watch for signs of stress (withdrawal, anxiety) and seek help via helplines like Tele-MANAS (14416). Encourage balance with hobbies, exercise, and family time.
4. Challenge Societal Norms: Join community groups to normalize diverse paths. Question coaching hype—invest in skills that align with your child's strengths, not status.
5. Model Resilience: Show that collective family effort (like supporting spouses or grandparents) builds success, not individual prestige.

By focusing on mental stability, we reduce the suicide surge that's outpacing overall trends. Experts warn that without change, the crisis will worsen.

A Call to Action: Save the Next Generation

Our kids deserve more than forced prestige—they deserve lives of purpose and peace. As parents, educators, and society, let's commit to letting them choose paths that nurture mental health. Start today: Have that conversation, explore an alternative career, or advocate for systemic reforms.

Together, we can turn tragedies into triumphs. For resources, visit organizations like The Live Love Laugh Foundation or India's National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Share your thoughts in the comments—have you let go of prestige in your family?