The recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) featuring 10-year-old Ishit Bhatt has sparked widespread discussion across India. The young contestant’s confident yet blunt interaction with Amitabh Bachchan, where he interrupted the host saying, “I know the rules, you don’t have to tell me,” went viral within hours. While some viewers praised his confidence, others criticized it as disrespectful. Beyond the memes and social media reactions, this moment has opened up a deeper conversation about parenting, privilege, and what psychologists call the Six-Pocket Syndrome.
The Six-Pocket Syndrome refers to a situation where a single child is raised by two parents and four grandparents — six sources of emotional and financial attention focused on one child. This phenomenon, first observed in China during its one-child policy era, has started to appear in Indian households too. As families become smaller and more urbanized, many children are growing up surrounded by abundant affection, comfort, and resources. While this love is natural and well-intentioned, it can sometimes lead to children developing a sense of entitlement, low frustration tolerance, and limited exposure to discipline or failure.
Ishit’s viral moment on KBC isn’t just about one child’s behavior — it’s a mirror reflecting modern parenting. Today’s parents want their children to be confident, expressive, and fearless. But somewhere along the way, the boundaries between confidence and arrogance, self-expression and insensitivity, are getting blurred. When every demand is met instantly, when mistakes are quickly forgiven, and when success is constantly celebrated without struggle, children can begin to view authority, patience, and humility as unnecessary burdens.
Psychologists warn that while the Six-Pocket Syndrome stems from love, it can create deeper emotional challenges in the long run. Children raised in overly protected environments may struggle to handle rejection, criticism, or failure later in life. They may find it difficult to work in teams, accept instructions, or empathize with others. In essence, they grow up strong in comfort but weak in adversity. Confidence without character becomes fragile — and that’s what we’re beginning to witness in many young individuals today.
This doesn’t mean parents should withhold love or support. The key lies in balance — raising children who are both confident and compassionate. Setting clear boundaries, linking rewards to effort rather than results, and allowing children to experience small failures are essential steps. Teaching patience, respect, and empathy is just as important as encouraging independence and ambition. Every “no” from a parent is not rejection; it’s a lesson in resilience.
The viral KBC clip should not be seen merely as entertainment, but as a wake-up call for society. It reflects how our definitions of success, strength, and confidence are evolving. Are we nurturing children who can handle pressure, or are we creating individuals who crumble the moment things don’t go their way? In a world that constantly celebrates instant achievement and visibility, the quieter values of humility, discipline, and emotional intelligence risk being forgotten.
The Six-Pocket Syndrome is not a criticism of love — it’s a reminder of what real growth looks like. True strength comes not from being adored by six pockets, but from learning to stand tall even when they’re empty. As we celebrate our children’s confidence, let’s also teach them grace, gratitude, and grit. Because while confidence can open doors, only character ensures they stay open.
