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Society
A Safe Habitat
One
of the bleak realities of the present era is the burgeoning of old
age homes across the world. Traditionally, Indians have lived in a
joint family set up, together sharing life’s trials and
tribulations. Often the space constraints demonstrated their
telling signs on human behavior, yet the warmth of the
relationship lasted for generations. Over a past decade or more,
with globalization, the western culture slowly crept into every
facet known to the Indian way of life, leaving its indelible
impressions on it. From clothes to eating habits, television to
lifestyles, it permeated our lives forever. However, it is the
employment regime which got most effected. The search for
lucrative job opportunities led to the migration of people from
rural areas to cities, even abroad.
This has had two major effects on the Indian social system. First
was the disintegration of the joint family set up in favour of
nuclear ones. Secondly, due to the increasing financial pressures
of maintaining a decent (read high) standard of living, the
obvious axe has fallen on the older generation, leading to the
alienation of the elders. The fast pace of the present generation
has little patience towards the slow, yet steady, pace of the
yesteryears. Occasionally the elders unwilling to give up their
responsibility to their children, has led to a tussle between
generations, with the youth being resentful of the attitude of
seniors. As a result, there is often a lack of willingness to
accommodate them. |
He sat on his chair watching the world pass by
his poignant eyes. She sat besides him sharing his contentment and
distress as she had promised decades ago. Together they had grown
a family, which existed but was never present. The images on the
television had blurred with the vision, but the mind could see
more clearly than it could ever before. The heart could understand
the abysmal truth that the mind had been enlightening it with all
along…..No one had a moment in time to be with the very parents
who had sacrificed a lifetime to make a human out of an
infinitesimal seed. Their new home appositely epitomized their
status…..OLD AGE.
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Considering the senior
citizens as spokes in the wheel of personal development, a burden on the
pocket, or even a barrier to the modern way of life and enjoyment; the
concept of living with older generation has often met with apathy than
enthusiasm. Moreover, the availability of better medical facilities
while increasing the average age of the population has also led to the
urban population adopting family planning, thus altering the percentage
of older people vis-a vis the younger generation. It is no
surprise then that old age homes are mushrooming in India much the same
way they are in the western countries. While such homes could be a good
place to ensure the safety and security of the senior citizens living
alone, especially if medically incapacitated or unwell; for many, it
proves to be a blessing in disguise, where for a particular sum of
money, one can be devoid of their social duties towards the elderly.
It’s like existing for your parents, but never being present for them in
their hour of need!
How and when this
emotional surgery was performed in our society, none can tell. In
reality today, the elderly find themselves lonely and alienated. Not
surprisingly, for the youth, it now considered quintessentially ‘normal’
to live separately, despite being in the same city. Unwilling to
gain from the experiences and skills of the elderly, the fastidious
youth often lacks the forbearance needed. Wishing to create their own
niche in this competitive jungle, they are foolhardy if they believed
the branches could flourish by cutting the roots of the tree. On
balance, it’s these very senior citizens who, as parents, gave up their
present for our bright future.
Realizing the want for elderly care, UN General Assembly adopted Res.
No. 46/91 on Dec.16, 1991 laying down four principles for the older
persons, including Independence, Participation, Care and
Self-Fulfillment. It upheld the rights of the elderly to safe
environment, income-generating opportunities, health care, human rights
and fundamental freedoms including the ability to live with respect and
dignity, free from exploitation and physical or mental abuse. On the
individual level, we need to respect the elders and value their
experience and wisdom independently of their economic contribution to
society. The generation gap can be tapered with compassion if both the
generations respect the times gone by and also understand and accept the
realities of changing times. It is the grandparents who then become the
best channels to help grandchildren espouse a sense of responsibility,
moral values and the significance of tradition and culture in our lives.
Let’s give them a secure home amongst their own and be exemplary in
behavior. The lack of respect shown to ones elders today could be our
own fate tomorrow. The wheel of life would soon catch up with all
despite our fast pace; for man can fight anything in the world, but not
his age!
– Anjali Anand Seth
December 4, 2004
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