In a shocking incident in Lucknow, a 21-year-old youth allegedly shot his father dead inside their home following a heated argument reportedly linked to academic and career expectations surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). What began as a family dispute escalated into a horrifying crime, leaving the nation stunned and raising urgent questions about parental pressure, mental health, and the fragile emotional state of young adults.
Was this only a crime — or a warning sign society failed to read?
How Much Pressure Is Too Much?
Beyond the horror lies a far more uncomfortable question:
Are We Raising Children — or Rank Machines?
When did ambition quietly turn into compulsion?
Across India, NEET is not just an exam — it is often treated as a measure of worth. For many families, becoming a doctor is seen as the ultimate validation of success. But what happens when a child’s dreams do not align with parental expectations?
Is disagreement seen as rebellion?
Is hesitation labelled as failure?
Is mental exhaustion dismissed as laziness?
If a young adult feels trapped between personal identity and imposed ambition, does the emotional pressure slowly turn into resentment?
The Silent Weight of Expectations
Academic pressure in competitive environments can manifest as anxiety, depression, anger, or emotional withdrawal. Yet, how often are these signs taken seriously?
Do families notice distress — or only declining marks?
Do we ask children what they want — or tell them what they should want?
In many households, conversations around career choices become arguments rather than dialogues. The emotional vocabulary to express fear, confusion, or inadequacy is often missing.
Mental Health: Still a Taboo Topic?
Why is seeking psychological help still seen as weakness in many families?
If a child shows frustration or emotional instability, is the response empathy — or discipline?
If a parent feels overwhelmed about their child’s future, do they seek guidance — or tighten control?
Mental health discussions in India remain limited, especially within families where authority structures discourage open communication.
Could This Have Been Prevented?
What if either the father or the son had spoken to someone — a counselor, a teacher, a trusted relative, or a mental health professional?
Sometimes, a neutral third voice can de-escalate tension.
Sometimes, professional counseling can help families understand that career paths are not one-size-fits-all.
Sometimes, simply being heard can prevent emotional explosions.
If open dialogue had replaced confrontation, if emotional support had replaced rigid expectation, could the outcome have been different?
This tragedy forces society to confront uncomfortable realities:
Are we equating success with only a few professions?
Are we confusing guidance with control?
Are we ignoring mental health until it turns catastrophic?
Exams like NEET test academic ability.
But perhaps it is time we also test our own attitudes — as parents, educators, and as a society.
Because sometimes, the real crisis is not the exam.
It is the pressure surrounding it.
"A child needs understanding more than achievement, and love more than a rank."
