The joint family system is under serious threat of extinction due to some misconceptions. Economic growth, professionalism, and privacy were such important misconceptions. The sweet and pleasant sight of the joint family is now limited to family photography comprising a large number of family members, who adore the walls of the ruined buildings called Hawelis. Young people today simply cannot imagine the practical existence of such families because it is not possible for him to fulfill the wishes of all family members. It surprised me too until I decided to reflect on it and scratch the limited gray cells available with me. . I had to resort to mathematics to find an answer to this. As I probed deeper, it enlightened me with the multiplication and division of Happiness and Sadness. If all was well with the joint family system, why is it under threat of extinction? You have to weigh it carefully.
The change of the magic words from “WE” and “OUR” to “I” and “ME” initiated the separation. The attitude of personal growth instead of the growth of the family as a whole, deals the next serious blow. Just like in a tug-of-war, different participants apply different magnitudes of force, however, in the current scenario, the person with the most force is asking for the biggest piece of the pie. The belief in the success of the family as a whole took a backseat because ME and ME began to matter more. As a result, we begin to tell the children present that this particular toy or room belongs to them. This sowed the seeds of separation in little minds and then went on to form the main characteristic of their personality. He or she was even unable to share the parental love with the other siblings and the parents began to glorify the love that a particular child had for them. Instead of taking it as a serious warning of things to come, they began to enjoy it.
The misconception of economic growth, materialism, and privacy dealt another blow to the joint family system. Personally, I am not willing to buy the concept of PRIVACY, which is a strong defense factor against the disintegration of the family system. I feel that the term privacy needs to be redefined. Privacy for me is when I’m in the bathroom, when I’m changing my clothes, when I’m in the middle of a good book, when I’m in bed with my wife. I would not like to be disturbed during all these activities. However, aside from this, I don’t need privacy because I have nothing else to hide. Following the current scenario of families made up of parents and children, can anyone guarantee that the locks on their doors have never been misused? Whereas during the previous joint family system one could never risk standing by the wall as one never knew who might show up, when and from where. So before there was more privacy than now and don’t be surprised if your MMS is distributed everywhere.
Those most affected by the breakdown of the joint family system are children and the elderly. Children are confined to computers, video games, or watch undesirable content when they are alone. The elderly, on the other hand, had to seek relief in the “NURSING HOMES” or the so-called Gardens that are on the verge of extinction due to our professional and practical attitude. They don’t even have ears to hear their stories of affliction at the hands of their children, whom they had raised so lovingly in the hope that they would be by their side during this stage of their lives. This segment of people realizes what they have lost, however, in the current scenario, their children would not listen because they will only realize when they are in their position. However, through this article, I would like to THANK my maternal grandmother and grandfather who accompanied my childhood with so much love and care. Believe me, I’m willing to pay every penny to feel the warmth they generated.
So, in summary, we find that there have been fewer gains than losses. If happiness was multiplied in a joint family system, then remember that tensions were also divided. We need to put on our thinking caps to do some rethinking and help the old family system nurture and flourish. Remember, the joint family system is like a sprawling BANGALOW that is low to the ground and gives us wonderful gifts of nature to enjoy, while today’s isolated family system is like an APARTMENT that looks sparkling from a distance, but remember that you are far from the land and basic gifts of nature. Decide for yourself what would you prefer? I’m sure most of us would say, “Give us BANGALOW any day.” Let’s make a beginning and others will follow. This would help all members of the family, including parents, children and the elderly, to smile and smile meaningfully.
bakshinder