Children naturally ask many questions. The reason lies in their limited knowledge, their eagerness to know more, and their courage to ask questions openly. When a child asks “Why?”, it not only opens the path to acquiring knowledge for the child but also expands the intellectual horizon of the person who answers. However, in today’s times, this art of asking questions is gradually disappearing.
Today, we are so overwhelmed by an abundance of ready-made answers that the need to ask questions is steadily diminishing. The internet and social media provide instant responses within moments. As a result, we are losing the patience to think, analyze, interpret, and search deeply. Questions such as “Is this true?” or “Is there another dimension to this?” occur to fewer and fewer people. Our prevailing education system is also largely responsible for this decline. In an examination-oriented system, greater emphasis is placed on memorizing answers rather than asking questions. When students ask too many questions in classrooms or to their parents, it is often perceived as disobedience or ignorance. In such an environment, a child’s curiosity gradually transforms into fear and hesitation.
In social and political contexts as well, questioning is often viewed with suspicion. The person who asks questions is seen as dissatisfied, doubtful, rebellious, or oppositional. As a result, silence is considered the safer and more acceptable option. Remaining silent is equated with agreement—an attitude that poses a serious threat to democracy. The decline of a questioning mindset does not merely indicate a reduction in the number of intellectuals; it signifies a broader erosion of human values. Questions make individuals aware, tolerant, and capable of understanding others’ perspectives. Abandoning the habit of questioning risks turning humans into mere mechanical beings.
Asking questions is essential because it is the gateway to knowledge, thought, and transformation. Questions dispel doubt, deepen understanding, and clarify comprehension. They compel us to reflect: “Is this right?” “Is this just?” A person who questions is undoubtedly conscious and aware, because questioning arises from having a viewpoint and the courage to examine it. Most importantly, asking questions does not mean doubting or disrespecting someone; rather, it means searching for truth.
Therefore, it is imperative to discuss how the habit of questioning can be strengthened. Children must be provided with a supportive environment where they feel that no question is wrong and where they can express their curiosity freely without fear of negative reactions. Instead of limiting answers to a simple “yes” or “no,” questions should be framed to encourage detailed responses. For example, asking, “If such a situation arises, what would you do?” gives students the opportunity to express their thoughts and think deeply. Questioning is not limited to children alone; at any age, curiosity and inquiry open paths to learning something new.
When children are encouraged and permitted to pursue their personal interests, their desire to know more grows. With the freedom to ask questions, they become more expressive and confident. Including children in discussions, patiently listening to their feelings and experiences, and encouraging them to share their opinions on various issues further motivates them to ask questions. The responses to their questions should always be positive and constructive.
The habit of questioning enhances everyone’s capacity for understanding and inspires both individual and collective progress. Hence, it is essential to nurture a questioning mindset in children. Instead of suppressing a child’s “Why?” with irritation, it should be answered thoughtfully. In educational institutions, families, and society at large, questions must be accepted as gateways to dialogue. Only when the habit of continuous questioning survives can thinking and analysis remain alive. If this art of questioning disappears, human consciousness will gradually fall silent. To break that silence, we must once again begin with a simple question:
“Why?”
By Srutakirti Tripathy — an Odia author and columnist. We translated from the original Odia article that was previously published in the Odia daily The Prameya.
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