Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
PARENTING IN INVERTED TIMES
We are passing through times which have been challenged by comparative para-sensibilities of the emerging world of power, wealth and crime. The trio has pushed the world into a situation in which the ‘real’ men who matter in this society, are not the ‘men of character’ but the men of power and means, which in other words, can be read as ‘characterless’. It is a strange reversal and a shocking revelation that we are living in inverted times.
Past becomes past, only when it ceases to be relevant. The world which has overtaken our recent past is cast in a new dye in which some ideas and images have lost all their iconic value.
HONESTY
One word, and one virtue which has been given an unceremonious burial by the modern times, is the word honesty. There was a time, some fifty years back, when fathers looked for young men who were honest for their daughters. And mothers wanted young ladies who were ‘susheel’ [amenable]. Now, in these inverted times, the son-in-law must be a CEO in an MNC. Or at least getting a high package. And what mothers-in-law want from a daughter-in-law? She should be educated and employed.
We no longer wish that both should have those qualities which build a good home, which serves as a cozy nest for the kids. We also no longer wish they should be ‘good’ in the ultimate sense of the word. A young man is considered good if he has education and a job, and better if he can make fast buck. Home, homeliness, love, honesty, loyalty, hard work – virtues which used to characterize our fathers and fore-fathers are missing from the society. And the result is before us.
WHAT IS MISSING IN A FAMILY SET UP?
How to conduct as a husband and a wife, these lessons are missing from our syllabus books. Only they are taught how to get a job, and become self-dependent. Can self-dependence be a replacement for all the qualities and responsibilities which a lady has to encounter, as the centre of the universe? If there is one woman, she can set up a home. But ten men together cannot set up a home. Pitiably, today, the modern world is allergic to the idea of a home. It does not like the idea of a family. It does not rely on love as the cementing force. The capitalists want at least two kitchens in a house. Success means: you worry only about yourself. And your kids. And wield power and status in society.
ATTENDANTS AND HONESTY:
In the homes, we are very keen to ensure the attendants work honestly. We tell them a dozen times that there should be no ‘stealing’ etc. Don’t you think it is a paradox. Are we honest in our dealings? Are we honest in the office where we are working? We are making maximum money, by hook and crook, yet want these people to remain honest.
Yet, they are honest. They come to your homes in time. They know their work. And, the greatest thing which you lack, is that they do their work joyfully. I have seen attendants working in homes, enjoying their work, and talking gleefully with their colleagues with whom they come for the work. They have men at the home, who demand favours from them at night. They cook at home also. And, with the meagre amount they get, they rear families too.
Is there nothing to learn from them? If I have seen happiness and joy, I have seen it on the faces of these attendants. While their mistresses, who eat lots of nutrition, and proteins in their foods, always are on drugs for one reason or another.
POVERTY
While on joy and happiness in life, I may mention here the people living in poor quarters have a better feel of the joys of life. Poverty is a curse, but by default, it teaches us so many things which are not available to the young people from rich families.
I consider it a curse for a rich man’s son who gets everything on the platter, who have not to work hard for a living, and who enjoys on the wealth which has been stolen and extracted from the poor masses to which it rightfully belonged. The rich who are often found indulging in indecent practices and accumulating wealth for their progeny, are actually criminals of the society. Their sons and daughters get spoiled with excessive wealth, and soon they fritter it away and they are also ruined because they start living in bad company, and visit bars and so on.
It is better if God has given you enough, don’t shower it on your sons and daughters. Force them to remain within modest means, and let them work to earn their livelihood. Let them build themselves up and be proud of their intelligence. By offering them everything on the platter, we deprive them of the joy of hard work and the strength of character which comes from strenuous work.
As human beings and as a part of this society, we are responsible for creating a better world. And we cannot create a better world with spare parts whose ‘hi fidelity’ is under suspicion.
Author: Dr. Jernail Singh Anand is Founder President of The International Academy of Ethics, a think-tank of Poets, Philosophers, Thinkers, Scientists and Social Scientists. He is Professor Emeritus with the European Institute of the Roma Studies, Belgrade and Honorary Member of the Serbian Writers Association. Dr. Anand has authored 150 books which include 9 epics which are considered world classics. He has innovated the theory of Bio-text in critical theory. The Univ. of Neyshabur, Iran has conducted a Research Project on his Poetry comparing it with Iranian Poets, under Dr. Roghayeh Farsi. His works have been translated into 20 world languages. Contact: [email protected]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jernail_Singh_Anand?
universityofethics.org/ethicsacademy.co.in
