If I were given a chance to choose the most enduring word of all time, I would zero in on ‘normal’. It might sound unremarkable but in our chaotic world, normal has come to mean the absence of conflicts, uncertainty, disease, deprivation, and all other irritants that affect the smooth passage of life. In fact, it is a word we crave to hear at every stage of life, from childhood to old age, whether it is about health, wealth, education, or relationships.
Once a baby is born, the first query invariably is whether it is a normal delivery, and if the mother and child are in proper health. Next, it is about the Apgar score — a screening test done to find out about the newborn’s overall physical condition. The relief that ensues the moment the doctor says “Everything’s normal!” is immeasurable. With the passage of time, similar scenes are bound to repeat themselves when one is in need of medical care due to ill-health or advancing years. Then, it is about blood pressure, glucose level, and all the other parameters that ought to be normal, that is, within the reference range.
Our concerns with normalcy persist as we cross every milestone in life, from nursery to school, college, and career. In reality, not many parents can reconcile themselves to the word ‘normal’, when it comes to mean ‘average’ as far as their wards are concerned. Ironically, their initial concern for the normal functioning of a child soon turns into a passion to fulfil their dreams through them. Hence, children wilt under parental pressure.
