Aging Alone in a Crowded World

In today’s rapidly evolving world, marked by technological advancements, shifting cultural values, and fast-paced lifestyles, one deeply troubling trend is the neglect of elderly parents by their children. Once revered as the pillars of wisdom, experience, and love, many elderly individuals today find themselves lonely, isolated, and forgotten within their own families. The traditional values of respect and reverence for elders, especially in cultures like India's, are eroding under the pressure of modern priorities and individualism. In earlier times, joint family systems were common, where parents, children, and grandchildren lived together under one roof. The elderly were natural heads of the family, not only consulted on all major decisions but also provided care and companionship by their children and grandchildren. Their presence was considered a blessing, and their guidance a necessary part of life. With the rise of nuclear families, urban migration, and a more self-centered lifestyle, this structure has crumbled. Parents, after spending their entire lives raising their children, find themselves living alone in their later years, either in neglected corners of the house or in old age homes, far from the warmth of the family they built.

- VIVEK KOUL

The reasons for this growing indifference are many. First, the demands of modern life - jobs, career ambitions, and material pursuits - have become dominant. As young adults move to different cities or countries in search of better opportunities, the bond with their parents weakens. The physical distance often turns into emotional distance. Parents who once sacrificed their dreams for their children now hesitate to even call them too frequently, fearing they may be disturbing their "busy" lives. This sense of hesitation and detachment slowly turns into loneliness and depression for the elderly. Another factor is the increasing influence of Western individualistic ideals where personal freedom and independence are considered more important than familial responsibilities. Children, once married and settled, begin to focus entirely on their new families, forgetting that the ones who raised them with love and patience are now in need of the same care and attention. They forget that their parents are aging, dealing with health issues, and fighting battles of their own, both mental and physical.