RECENTLY, I visited an old-age home and was saddened to see the elderly parents living away from their families. It is heart-breaking that they have been abandoned by their own children.
The unfortunate trend is getting momentum because of urbanisation and the institution of nuclear family. Children see theirparents as aburdenratherthan as elders who need care, love and attention.
They are moving away to pursue better careers and lifestyles. The children abandon their ageingparents ata point when they need their family the most.Dropping parents to an old-agehome for shelter and sending them monthly money and other essentials are not enough.
Their parents want them and their presence around them.
As a society, we see aging as a weakness rather than as anaturalpart oflife.
Children are often expected to be independent and self-sufficient, which can lead to a lack of emotional connection and responsibility towards their parents.
Instead of relying on institutions or governments, we need to take personal responsibility for our parents` care.
We need to take out time for them, listen to their stories, and show that we love them. We need to create a culture of care and empathy where children prioritise their parents` needs and wellbeing.
Let us start making effort to stay connected to our parents, to visit them regularly, and to be there for them in their time of need. Let us create a world where no parentis abandoned orneglected.
