Does Viral KBC Child Arguing With Amitabh Bachchan Have Six-Pocket Syndrome? Exploring The Psychological Condition

The internet broke after the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati released, where a 10-year-old boy made the headlines for his attitude. During the entire episode, the boy was seen throwing tantrums and talking unabashedly to the most beloved Bollywood actor. 

When Amitabh Bachchan started telling him the rules of the show, the kid cut him off confidently and said, "I know the rules, you don't have to tell me." Social media went wild. While the boy was initially praised for his boldness, people later started to denounce him for the disrespect in his tone. But there is something more at stake here than a moment of television. This incident got the editorial team to think if kids today are becoming assertive or are they just being entitled?

Many psychologists refer to this kind of behaviour in kids as the Six-Pocket Syndrome. So, we reached out to our expert, Dr Tonmoy Sharma, Psychiatrist and Founder, Merlin Health - Gurgaon, and here is everything he shared with us.

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What Is Six-Pocket Syndrome?

The phrase Six-Pocket Syndrome came from China in its one-child policy. With a sole child in the family, the parents and grandparents, six adults altogether, devoted all their financial, emotional, and social investment to that sole child.

On the face of things, it would come across as unconditional love, attention and unlimited possibilities. But psychologists started observing a pattern: numerous of these kids became excessively spoiled, less tough, and ill-equipped to cope with criticism, with disappointment, or with setting boundaries. They were usually referred to as llittle emperors.

“Eversince, the term has been used to describe any child brought up in a world of overindulgence, bathed in affection, flattery, and wealth but rarely being said no to,” explained Dr Sharma.

Why the KBC Incident Is Important

The child's remark, "I know the rules", wasn't mere brashness. It was something more: social unawareness and an absence of humility. Kids are now being praised early on for their talent, smartness, or charm. Admiration is good, but the praise without limits may confuse the differences between pride and entitlement.

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Psychiatrist's View on Six-Pocket Syndrome

Dr Sharma describes, "Six-Pocket Syndrome results when kids are raised with attention and resources but without sufficient structure. The child is not the problem, adults build a world where the kid is the center of every conversation. Lacking boundaries, children can lose contact with core social abilities such as listening, empathy, and respect."

He further states that the biggest problem is not self-confidence, but calibration.

"Children must be encouraged, yet guided. By not learning how to deal with refusal, correction, or disagreement, they are released into the real world unprepared."

Six-Pocket Syndrome doesn't imply that children are spoiled, it just suggests they might not have experienced sufficient boundaries, chores, correction, or consequences. So when they enter areas where mutual respect is required, their behaviour can come as a shock.

How Can Parents and Educators Help?

Here are a few things Dr Sharma suggested that parents should do: 

• Establish firm but gentle boundaries
• Praise effort, not ability
• Teach children to listen before they speak
• Encourage sharing and teamwork
• Let small failures build resilience

Bottomline

Kids don't require less affection, they require love that is balanced. Self-assurance minus empathy soon becomes entitlement. The aim is not to suffocate kids, but to bring them up with courage, generosity and sensitivity towards others.