No Emotions

Supporting aged parents is one of the recent issues which have come to the limelight though with no actual solution to it.

Image: Tears
Image By: Aparna Vishwanathan
Image Copyright: Aparna Vishwanathan

It is very unfortunate that we people have become so heartless that our own parents are burden on us. We are taking the help of legislation to show love, affection and kindness towards them. Imposing punishments or fines on somebody to show affection towards parents is not the solution to this problem.

Times are changing. Everyone is busy with their own lives. People have become more and more ambitious. Concept of joint families is gradually fading away. Both husband and wife are struggling to sustain a good life style. All these are part of our life. But how can one forget the reason of their existence? People who gave them the life? They are not use and throw material. They struggled their whole life to provide a comfortable and secured life to their kids.

There are many aged parents who are financially independent yet they are not happy because they are not given any respect, no affection from their kids, bitter words from daughter-in-laws etc. They are emotionally injured and in many cases physically as well. Think of those who are dependent on their children. Their life is even more pathetic.

With the changing culture and increasing westernization, these days it is very necessary that children of this generation should be made to understand the importance of family, relations and their role in it. Elder members in the family play an important role in such situations.

a) They teach moral values to the kids.
b) They stay with kids for their security when parents are away on work.
c) They ensure that kids do not feel alone when parents are not at home.
d) Kids and grandparents develop good relation with each other that parents need not worry about them in their forming stages.

It is in our hands to decide. A family is formed out of its members. Each member has got his/her responsibility. Adjusting with each others requirements strengthens the bondage. Every one should be given his/her own space. Money is not everything. Emotional support, love and affection are the one for which our aged parents are longing for.

Counseling can be one of the ways to teach people, to make them realize that parents are our part as we are theirs. They may also face similar situation when they will grow old.

I hope people understand the value of their parents, respect them and set an example for their kids so that they don’t have to face the same situation in future.
Text By: Aparna Vishwanathan