In his book, Freakonomics- #1 New York Times Bestsellers, Stephen Dubner talks about The Broken Window Theory. And I quote "The broken window theory argues that minor nuisances if left unchecked, turn into major nuisances: that is if someone breaks a window and sees it isn't fixed immediately, he gets the signal that it's all right to break the rest of the windows and maybe set the building on fire too".

The Broken Window theory was first introduced in a 1982 article by Social Scientists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. It was further popularized in the 1990s by New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Rudy Guiliani, whose policing policies were influenced by the broken windows theory.

As I'd read this, It immediately occurred to me that this theory is directly relevant to most of the things in our lives. I mean, how many times have we found ourselves in such situations and took advantage of it. It brings out the evil in each of us and we, then, break the rest of the windows and most of the time set the building/s on fire too.

This theory can be applied to almost all things we do or see on daily basis.

Let's talk about Mumbai traffic rules and how it is relevant to this theory. On my way to work every day, I see a lot of vehicles running red lights or cutting lanes with no proper indicators/signals, drivers with one hand on the steering wheel and using another one to operate their expensive smartphones. And then the bikers, who are more prone to even more fatal accidents, with no helmets on for protection while some have got their phones stuck between their ear and the helmet talking to their loved ones. What does all this say?

As I see this, it tells me that all these dangerous stunts on the roads while driving are Okay. It is tempting and it makes me want to do it too. And It's just me. Even though I know it is dangerous but I am ready to take the risks just like my fellow daredevil citizens. And when I see these issues unfixed on daily basis, I feel I should break the rest of the windows (in this case, almost all the traffic rules).

It is also applicable in Parental life.

Being a parent is tough. Raising the child in today's world and in this expensive economy certainly washes off all the dreams. But the happiest part of being a parent lies in that even cuter and beautiful smile the child bears, or when he/she says that they have the best parents in the world and how they want to grow up and be just like them one day. But wait, what if they see you making a mistake or even worse you make a mistake and you don't fix them immediately.

Children are very innocent and in their growing childhood, their world coincides with ours. As I was growing up, my father once told me "If you want to live a valuable life, make friends that add value to your life." It got stuck in my head. Even after years, I still remember this line. It is only because I realized what it meant to me and gave me a clear idea of what I should do. And guess what I did? I changed my friend's circle. I immediately dumped all my existing friends who were only good for nothing to find new ones who can add value to my life.

As a parent, you need to bring people who can add value to your lives. You become friends with them, hang out with them, enjoy a get-together or a family function. Put in simple words, Let their world coincides with yours. And as it does, remember your world also coincides with your child's so chose people wisely. And if you ever make a mistake correct them immediately Because remember your child wants to become you someday and you don't want the Junior you to break all the windows or set the building on fire.