Ms JANUARY 3, 2016
ISSUE NO. 185
The new classroom How the student-teacher relationship has evolved
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Understanding eating disorders
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inside En vogue —
Fashion forward with Bushra Wahid
Domestic goddess —
Teriyaki chicken burger
Section In-Charge: Dilaira Dubash Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Designer: Umar Waqas Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk
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What’s trending: The ‘70s!
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The buzz
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
By Saif Asif Khan Before she got married and switched cities some 30 years ago, my mother used to teach at a secondary school in Punjab. Recently, while attending a wedding here in Karachi, she was tapped on the shoulder by a woman I did not recognise. She looked to be around 40-something and was accompanied by who I assume to be her daughter. “Excuse me,” she said to my mother. “You look awfully familiar. Were you, by any chance, my 9th grade biology teacher? I used to live in Wah Cantt, Punjab, around 1981?” My mother put down her plate of gulab jamuns and eyed the woman carefully. “Yes, I did teach while I was in Wah,” she said before mouthing out a wild guess. “Wait! Are you, Ayesha? You were the one who caught measles and had to miss a whole term, weren’t you?” It was then that the two descended into a cacophony of laughter, family introductions and memories, followed by a warm hug and an exchange of telephone numbers. I, along with the lady’s teenage daughter, simply stood there lost and confused, not knowing how to react. Well, I don’t know about the girl but I think I felt so awestruck because, as a teacher myself, I know none of my students would have come to me had we run into each other at a wedding. Times have changed and today, the student-teacher relationship is in stark difference to what it used to be during my mother’s time three decades ago. Few students today would want to socialise with a former or even current
teacher after having left school, let alone while they remain their students. Based on my own experiences, if I encounter a student outside the school premises, the ensuing drama is nothing short of hilarious. For instance, on one occasion at a grocery store I had to break the ice myself by saying, “Nice to run into you here.” And unsurprisingly that was the last time I saw that student at the store. Other times, we simply avoid eye-contact and act like shampoo bottles and tissue boxes hold the secrets to our future and require our utmost concentration. Of course, there are some exceptions but in general, children and young adults today are reluctant to associate with teachers beyond the minimal interaction required at their respective institutions. But why is that? To find out, I decided to take the matter up with some colleagues of my mother’s and myself. Narmeen Khan*, another former student of my mother’s, believes the deterioration of the student-teacher relationship is indicative of how the notion of ‘respect’ has evolved in our society. “During our days, children were brought up to respect authority, whether they are right or wrong. But today, children question such rules,” explains Narmeen. “These days, children are no longer content with simply being told to blindly respect their elders.” However, Salima Aslam*, who gave teaching over 10 years of her life, disagrees with this claim. According to her, the fault lies primarily in the quality of the education system prevalent
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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
across Pakistan today which focuses more on formal teaching and less on developing students’ interpersonal skills. “Schooling used to be a lot less structured than it is now. There used to be little emphasis on extracurricular activities, straight ‘A’ grades and cutthroat competition for college applications,” says Salima. “Also, children would start school at a stable age rather than at three when they can barely hold themselves up.” According to her, the fact that most children attended schools within their neighbourhoods also meant that their families knew the teachers outside of school as well. “This is why there was respect for the teacher — not simply as a figure of authority but because they shared a more personal connection,” she adds. The more I delved into the matter, the more I realised that Salima’s sentiments are echoed by many of her peers. Najma Qureshi*, a teacher at one of Karachi’s premier English medium schools, compares her pupils with herself back in the day and is left disturbed. “I remember thinking of my teachers as second to my parents,” she shares. “And this wasn’t out of fear! Yes, the superior at my convent school would occasionally wave a cane in the air to scare us but she never used it.” The feeling of admiration, Najma believes, was led by students’ keen interest in learning. She claims that previous generations were aware that being schooled at one of the best institutions was an honour their parents have tried hard to give them. Today, however, most young students seem to lack an understanding of hard work and shy away from building connections with their educators. “Most of them [the students] study here simply because their parents can afford to pay exorbitant school fees,” says Najma, adding that this materialism has taken a toll on social values and the passion for learning. Although Najma’s perception seems a tad extreme and farfetched, I personally know of students who entertain such rigid mindsets, such as A-level student Faraz Talib*. “In order to get into an Ivy League college in US, I have to get excellent grades, adequate experience of volunteer work and participate in sports activities as well,” says Faraz, when I asked about his career plans. In order to achieve all of this, Faraz doesn’t bat an eyelid before skipping a few of his classes so as to accommodate his co-curricular appointments. “I can always catch on the missed work at tuition
centres,” he says, nonchalantly. So I suppose it isn’t surprising that an educational institution for most students today is simply a passport for a better life. Amongst this, teachers tend to become derelict remnants of a bygone era, rendered all the more obsolete by electronic exam guides, the internet and tuition centres. Yet, my research highlighted an interesting aspect: students hailing from different social classes regarded teachers in different ways. I breached the question whether students from less privileged families were more interested in learning and therefore, treated their teachers better? Sadia Mumtaz*, a teacher at a girls primary school in a lower-income area of Karachi, affirmed my suspicion. “You would be surprised if you see how eager these children are to learn; to read and write despite their challenging circumstances,” she says. “They admire their educators as they think they possess the power to shape their destinies,” she adds. Many times, Sadia is approached by old students of hers — most of whom now have respectable jobs — to thank her for the hard work and effort she put into their education. “They often leave me teary eyed because I know how hard they struggled to reach where they are today. The reason behind their humility is that they never forget where they come from,” adds Sadia. All in all, it appears that somewhere during the last few decades, there was a trade-off between personal ambition and education. Students’ attitude towards their teachers and educational institute is determined by what they think they will achieve out of the time spent at school. In the yesteryears, people tended to be more respectful towards their teachers as they believed that a school was another home where they could learn about the world and become better human beings. Today, the same schools have become mere stepping stones for a better income. While this implies that today’s generations are much more ambitious, it has come at the cost of minimising the value they place in schools. Lost respect for teachers, however, as part of the schooling experience is an unfortunate corollary. *Names have been changed to protect privacy Saif Asif Khan is a political economist who has taught part-time at various academic institutions in Karachi
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En vogue
Bushra Wahid showcases her gorgeous new collection Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair and makeup: Sabs salon Designer: Bushra Wahid Photography: Rohail Khaled Model: Abeer Rizvi
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
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Lifestyle
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
By Komal Anwar Contrary to popular belief, the root cause of eating disorders is not always weightloss. In reality, there are many underlying psychological issues which contribute to the phenomenon. More often than not, people resort to binge eating subconsciously, as a coping mechanism for personal issues. While there is no particular cure for eating disorders, a combination of therapy, nutritional awareness and prompt medical treatments can help control and eventually, eliminate them.
Types of eating disorders To understand the causes, one must be familiar with the different categories of eating disorders. According to the National Health Services (NHS) of the UK, eating disorders can most simply be defined as “abnormal attitudes towards food that cause someone to change their eating habits and behaviour.” Under this banner, the most common of the disorders is anorexia nervosa wherein the patient tries to keep their weight as low as possible through excessive starving or exercise. The second type is known as bulimia which involves periods of binge eating followed by deliberate sickness or the use of laxatives to maintain weight. Both anorexia and bulimia are extreme cases which can prove fatal if not checked in time. Last but not the least is binge eating disorder (BED) which mentally convinces one to indulge in large amounts of food in a short space of time.
Causes The causes of eating disorders are usually much more complex than wanting to look good. Sadia Mazhar, a clinical psychologist and rehabilitation coordinator at Karwan-e-Hayat, believes two of the leading reasons for eating disorders are over-involved parenting and depression. “In our part of the world in particular, parents often tend to impose their wishes on children without allowing them to develop their own values and sense of self,” she explains. Many mothers, for instance, unassumingly pressurise their daughters into looking good which, according to social norms, equates to being slender. “In order to show rejection to the mother, the child indulges in over-eating. Once he/she realises the weight gain, he/she starts vomitting intentionally or starving himself/herself,” explains Sadia. Hence, girls are much more vulnerable to eating disorders than their male counterparts, resulting from poor mother-daughter relationships. On the other end of the spectrum lies a position paper released by The Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) that clarifies the role of the family in the occurrence of eating disorders. The paper points out that there is no data to support the theory that anorexia or bulimia are caused by certain family dynamics or parenting styles. Alternatively, there is strong evidence that family-based treatment for younger patients, implemented early on in the illness, actually prompts positive results and improvements in conjunction with professional guidance. While parents and families are not to blame, they can play a role in helping kids establish a positive or negative body image. As far as genetics is concerned, Sadia informs that research on the matter is still very limited. The answers remain multi-factorial and may intersect differently for each person. For instance, in relation to anorexia, Sadia explains that low self-image is the key motivating factor behind starvation. “Patients stop eating or starve themselves for public acceptance or even self-acceptance,” she says. “In the case of BED, however, excessive influence from parents can be one of the reasons why the person starts binge eating, as part of a coping mechanism.”
Cure Individuals with eating disorders must learn coping skills to tolerate negative experiences. If behaviours such as starvation, binging and excessive exercise develop in response to emotional pain, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress or trauma, then one must address these issues. But instead of resorting to anti-depressants, Sadia suggests incorporating a more holistic approach which includes psychological treatment — family therapy in particular. The family plays an integral part in the socialisation of the person. However, she admits there is little acceptance from the family especially in Pakistan. “Over-expectations from parents is a big factor. I think the message should be sent to parents before the children. Instead of teaching children healthy coping mechanisms, defence mechanisms have greatly increased. Since parents are defending themselves, the child also starts defending himself/herself,” she explains. “Parents forget to focus on the good that the child is doing. They tend to criticise more, which reduces the child’s self-esteem to a great extent,” she adds. Her advice for parents is to try and be more accommodating of their child’s behaviour. Sadia further suggests that the underlying problem causing the individual to have abnormal eating patterns needs to be addressed first and then the disorder. She recalls the example of one of her patients who had been dealing with anorexia for nine years before she came to Sadia. “The woman was only taking medicines for physical disorder and hence, not gaining any weight. It was only after I provided her psychological treatment did she start recovering.” Therefore, by being mindful about the real causes of emotional imbalances and getting professional help, we can help those suffering from this crippling problem. Komal Anwar is a subeditor at The Express Tribune magazine desk. She tweets @Komal1201
Domestic goddess 7
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 3, 2016
By Tanveer Khadim
Teriyaki chicken burger
These mild, Japanesestyle burgers are loaded with tangy vinegar and the sweetness of honey
Ingredients Overall: • Round buns 2 • Mayonnaise 1/2 cup • Tomatoes (sliced) as desired • Lettuce leaves as desired • Mustard paste as desired • Oil for frying 4 tbsp For the patty: • Chicken mince 300 grammes • Scallions (finely chopped) 1/2 cup • Soy sauce 2 tsp • Black pepper powder 1 tsp • Salt to taste
PHOTO: TANVEER KHADIM
For the teriyaki sauce: • Soy sauce (low-sodium ) 4 tbsp • Honey 1/2 tbsp • Water 4 tbsp • Rice vinegar 4 tbsp • Brown sugar 1 tbsp • Grated ginger 1/2 tsp • Cornflour paste 2 tbsp
Method For the patty: • Marinate the chicken mince with scallions, soy sauce, salt and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl for at least 10 minutes. • Make round, palm-sized patties — about half an inch in thickness — and fry them over low to medium heat until they become golden or mince becomes tender. • Remove the patties from the pan and place them on thick paper towels so that the excess oil is absorbed.
For the teriyaki sauce: • Whisk all the ingredients (except cornflour paste) together in a clean frying pan and bring the mix to a boil over a medium heat. • Reduce the heat and let it simmer for another two to four minutes. • Stir in the cornflour paste to slightly thicken the sauce. • Add the fried chicken patties and cook for two minutes. Flip the patties over with a spatula half-way through and cook for another two minutes. To assemble the burgers: • Spread mayonnaise on a toasted bun and layer it with lettuce leaves, the teriyaki chicken patty and tomatoes. • Drizzle some mustard paste on top and add cheese if you like. • Serve warm. Yield: Serves 2-3 persons Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes
Roasted potato wedges with herbs Crispy and aromatic, these chubby potato slices are a great alternative to deep fried French-fries. The combination of fragrant herbs used in the recipe spice up the wedges and taste great with burgers of any kind.
Ingredients • Potatoes (peeled and cut in thick wedges) 3 • Garlic crushed 1 tsp
• Black pepper 1 tsp • Dried rosemary 2 tsp • Dried thyme 1 tsp
Method • Preheat oven to 1800C for 10 minutes. • In a large bowl, toss together the potato wedges, herbs, garlic, vegetable and olive oils, black pepper and salt. Make sure the wedges are coated evenly on all sides. • Spread the wedges on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil to avoid any mess. Make sure you do not overcrowd them as this can cause discoloration. • Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning them over and baking the other side for another 10 minutes (or until tender and golden).
• Vegetable oil 1 tbsp • Olive oil 1 tbsp • Salt to taste
This trend has been a showstopper at almost every fashion week. Boat necks look great on both desi and western wear and can be enhanced with embellishments and cut-work. A good place to start at could be your mother’s trousseau collection. Rummage through in case she has a wideneck kameez or simply get one made. Pair it up with a traditional lehenga and shine away at the next reception you attend.
By Nisma Chauhan
As 2016 begins, we decided to look back on some of the greatest fashion hits of the previous year. From the ramps and to wedding season must-haves, the highlights of 2015 include vintage boat necks and funky, cut-out sleeves that date back to the yesteryears.
Professionally, I am looking forward to more wedding/ occasion wear ventures. But personally, I want more adventures, holidays and quality time with my family. Designer Maheen Karim
As much as we loved the ever-soflattering simple long sleeves, we also adore the unique and trendy ways in which designers have been jazzing them up. From slits and shoulder holes to bell-shapes and capes, these quirky ideas add much needed oomph factor to your wardrobe. So this shaadi season, indulge in some arm candy and don’t be afraid to show off those lean arms you’ve been working on.
I really want to get rid of my smartphone this year so I can spend more time at the gym and at home. Writer/director Murtaza Chaudhry
On the professional front, I am very excited about an international project that is in the pipelines. Other than that, I hope for a healthier lifestyle with regular exercise and healthy eating. Actor Sarwat Gillani
Perhaps our favourite of the current trends, flared pants are ideal for those with heavy lower halves. Not only are they more comfortable to wear than cigarrete pants — especially in the warm summer months — they are also very figureflattering when paired with a fitted top. And the best part is that they come in all kinds of styles, from bell-bottom jeans to Dhaka pajamas for desi wear. Whichever you prefer, be sure to get your hands on one or two of these fabulous items.
I am looking at 2016 as a leap year professionally. We will be expanding to embrace certain clients this year. On a personal note, I think better health is one of the aims. I plan on quitting the habit of smoking and introducing better ones for once.
Fashion entrepreneur Freiha Altaf