By P Mohan Chandran
As the pace of life has accelerated, have we unwittingly pressed the brake on one of humanity's oldest institutions—parenting? Have our aspirations to accumulate wealth and the consequent burden of work diluted the essence of nurturing young minds? Do our children grow up too fast, in a whirlwind of technology and adult-like responsibilities, missing out on the sweetness of childhood? It seems as though in this mad dash towards affluence, the real treasure — time spent nurturing and guiding our children — may be slipping away.
Today's parents find themselves in a complex conundrum. On one hand, they work tirelessly to provide a secure future for their children, and on the other, they bear the guilt of not being able to devote enough time for their offspring's emotional and psychological well-being. The outcome? An environment where smartphones replace stories, virtual classrooms substitute real learning, and material comfort triumphs emotional nurturing.
Consider the story of a young couple, both successful professionals, who gift their child the latest smartphone to keep him occupied and quiet while they juggle work and household chores. Their child, barely five, navigates through the digital world with remarkable dexterity, becoming a 'tech wizard' before he has even learned to tie his shoelaces.
Modern society also reverberates with tales of child prodigies who pen best-selling books, create mesmerizing music, or excel in fields typically associated with adults. This trend evokes the ancient narrative of Abhimanyu from the Mahabharata, who learned the strategy of breaking the formidable Chakravyuh while still in his mother's womb. Are we witnessing a resurgence of this phenomenon, where children are primed for adult-like achievements even before they've truly tasted childhood?
There's another heartbreaking story that's been making rounds on social media — a child who cannot eat without the distraction of a mobile screen, so engrossed in the virtual world that he's disconnected from the basic human experience of eating. Are we allowing the glow of screens to overshadow the glow of our children's innocent eyes?
Creches are brimming with children whose parents are occupied in the corporate battlefield, often sacrificing precious moments of bonding. When Saturday arrives, a beacon of hope for some family time, an unexpected email or a sudden meeting steals away the anticipated joys.
The questions we need to ask ourselves are hard, yet necessary. Have we allowed the scales of work-life balance to tip dangerously towards the former? Are we missing out on the joy of witnessing our children's first steps, first words, and first discoveries in our pursuit of material success? Is the technological babysitter taking over the role that we, as parents, are supposed to play?
If parenting is indeed getting extinct, what are the implications for our society, our culture, and our humanity? Are we setting up a future where the values of empathy, warmth, and care become relics of the past, replaced by cold screens and robotic interactions?
It's high time we reassess our priorities and reconsider our choices. At the end of the day, isn't the true purpose of parenthood to guide our children towards a life of happiness, fulfilment, and empathy, beyond just material success? Or have we veered so far off course that we're lost in the wilderness of wealth and ambition, unable to find our way back to the path of true, nurturing parenthood? These are questions that demand our deep reflection, for the answers will shape not just our lives but those of our children and the generations to come.
Do you agree that in today's fast-paced world, parents are unable to devote time to their children?
Yes, parenting is definitely on a downward trend.
No, parents take out time for kids but it's not enough.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
13072023
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