In India, around 2/3rd of the
population is below or close to 30, so does talking about old age homes problems
(which exist) sound awkward?
Consider this, out of every 10
elderly couples in Chennai, India, more than 6 are forced by their children to
leave their homes to Old Age Home. With no place to go and all hopes lost, the
elderly have to resort to old age homes, which do not guarantee first class
treatment. In India, unlike USA, parents do not leave their children on their
own after they turn 18 (of course there are exceptions), but children find it
hard to accept the fact that there are times when parents want to feel the love
that they once shared with them. There are times when parents just want to
relax and want their children to reciprocate their care. Every parents wants to
see their child grow and be successful but no parent wants their child to treat
them like an unnecessary load on their responsibilities.
Every other day, we see news of
parents being beaten up by their children, parents and in laws being forced to
do the house hold chores, being made to live in small dungeon like rooms, their
property being forcefully taken over by over ambitious children.
After a certain age health
problems begin to crop up leading to losing control over one’s body, even not
recognizing own family owing to Alzheimer are common in old age. It is then
children began to see their parents as burden. It is these parents who at times
wander out of their homes or are thrown out. Some dump their old Age people or grandparents
in old-age homes and don’t even come to visit them any more.
Forget the rights that the
elderly enjoy in India. Just forget about the action that they can take. Think
on moral grounds. Why do we tend to forget that the reason we are in this world
is our parents, the reason we studied is our parents, the reason we were alive
all this while is our parents, the reason we survived all the diseases is our
mother’s care. The hands who made us walk is our parents’. When we were kids we
never thought of it but we knew that no matter what, our parents will be by our
side. But when our time came to show our respect, to reciprocate the love, to
show our gratitude, we back out.
But the truth is that even when
they are counting their last breath, they are still thinking of us!
Is the youth too insensitive to
the elder? Passing comments at an old man walking slowly on the road and
disturbing the flow of the traffic are our ethics? Come on youth, stand up
against such injustice.
DO NOT TREAT YOUR PARENTS LIKE BURDEN ESPECIALLY WHEN
THEY NEED YOU
