Bad habits-Why are they formed?-How to get rid of them?

Any bad habit is primarily the influence of the environment in which one lives. Therefore one should be very careful about what one sees, hears, and talks. Friends and peers are notorious 'initiators' of bad habits. So one should be careful in picking up friends. Once a bad habit is initiated, there is no requirement of further 'initiators' as the person acquiring the bad habit/s becomes a 'perpetuator'/'manintainer' of the bad habit/s.
Teenage is the most dangerous age as most bad habits take firm roots during this period. These days, the media is another big source of ideas for kids to pick up bad habits easily. The 'perpetuating' tendency starts taking deeper and deeper roots until the person becomes addicted to the vices. Psychology is another factor to be taken into account in understanding the development of vices. Some people continue smoking and drinking (and these days the notorious habit of drugs) to suppress their anger and also give vent to their hidden and suppressed emotions. In addition to anger which is one of the maintainer of the vices, some other emotions like unsatisfied love, unsatisfied desires too make their way into the 'emotional drain-line' of vices.
So what is the solution for all of this? First of all, kids and teenagers need to have good company who are far away from any sorts of vices. Faith and hope in the ALMIGHTY are two strong ropes which can rally good people together. Parents should see that their children are in the right company. Absolute faith in the ALMIGHTY from one's childhood helps in the development of a good foundation for one's future life. And the first teacher obviously would be the mother. If the mother inculcates good values in the kids right from the beginning; there is every hope that though children might stray a bit from the straight path, the children will eventually come back to the straight path. True, the tendency to experiment is very strong in kids and teenagers but eventually with the right guidance they will fall back on the right track. Thus, parents should act as strong guardians over a child's development without compromising the child's freedom. It is a dangerous and hard trapeze-act absolutely for the parents. But child management is one science which no school can teach. It has to be learnt and applied by the parents with utmost judgement.
Suppose, if a child or for that matter anyone does develop bad habits. One of the golden rules to be remembered is that the wrong-doer should never be reprimanded in public. Public reprisal tends to backfire very severely, trust me! Instead, the wrong-doer should be gently advised in private with the softest of words. Another bad rule is comparison of a kid with bad habits or bad manners to another kid who has good habits and manners. This should never be done, not even between siblings. Period! The reason for this is this leads to feelings of jealousy, rivalry, etc.. Every human being has an innate GOD-given sense of right and wrong. He or she should be given the oppurtunity for introspection and self-correction. This will provide sufficient time for the person on the wrong track to correct himself.

Quotes

"Whatever one does, one needs to do it with all sincerity. Half-hearted, insincere attempts not only flop miserably but also lead to greater destruction."

Assalamalaikum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu

It means "May the peace, mercy and blessings of ALLAH be upon you". Welcome!