Indian culture has traditionally sustained a joint family system in which the old have always- had a very respectable place. There has been an erosion of these values in the present times. Write an article in 150-200 words on the need for the young to take care of their old instead of sending them to the old age homes.
Take Care of the Old, Don’t Send Them to Old Age Home
By Rahul
Today, the rate of aged couples living alone is increasing; approximately 30% of them are forced by circumstances to do so. On some unfortunate occasions, the lonely and helpless elders are murdered and robbed. This and few other reasons have given rise to old age homes where the elderly can live without having such risks.
Aged people who live alone have no one to look after them especially when they are unwell. The people living in the metropolitan cities lead a busy life. The demanding nature of their jobs and lifestyle leaves them with very little time to spend on themselves and their family members. As a result, they are unable to pay enough attention to their elderly parents. Lack of attention from their children often make the elders feel neglected, they begin to consider themselves as discarded. Some of the elderly family members have to face verbal and physical abuse as well. At such times, old age homes prove to be a home away from home. They are well equipped and all needs are taken care of too, including medical care. Moreover, instead of feeling lonely and neglected at home, here the elderly can meet and enjoy the company of same aged individuals, who would empathise with them and vice-versa.
However, Indian culture has traditionally sustained a joint family system in which the old have always had a very respectable place. In the present time, because there has been an erosion of the family values, it is crucial for the young to take care of their old members of the family instead of sending them to the old age homes. Having grandparents at home benefits the children in many ways.
Elders not only provide security to the little ones, but they also inculcate in them moral values, which sometimes, parents can’t. It has been observed that there is a greater amount of emotional interdependence in joint families because there exists an emotional balance, which does not exist in nuclear families. Children learn to share, take responsibilities and even empathy. Putting elders away at old age homes would be depriving children of all this along with invaluable guidance and love. Besides, old age homes are also considered a sign of rejection and shirking of responsibilities.
Children repeat what they learn from their elders. Therefore, those who do not feel the need to take care of their aged parents must prepare themselves to face the same fate.