Harmonious marriages: does the old have nothing to offer, even now?
Those who are now in their sixties and seventies are perhaps the last generation of parents who had gone through the very tough times. The nineties, applicable to those who are now in their fifties or even lesser in age, had technological advancements and quality of life that was far better.There is always a mounting criticism that the good old days were actually ones where the woman was made to totally surrender to the whims and fancies of husbands. The so-called harmony that existed in such marriages was based on compromise, and not on understanding. So goes the argument.
Unfortunately, this argument does not hold water. A lady who is now in her early fifties and employed in banks or LIC or some formal organization, would still have the good deal of freedom and would be able to reason out with her husband and children. She would still have one parent or both, who would still be around to offer the best lessons on tolerance, mutual respect for each other, the caring and sharing, and patience, among such good values.
So, it is the young, particularly in cases where the life partners are both employed, need to learn from their parents, now in their late fifties or early sixties. They would have to understand that life is far more than merely making money. It is based on values and respect for others and their thoughts and ideas.
The increasing divorce rates only points to the fact that tolerance is now on the wane and a sort of assertiveness that leads to "me, my life and only my life on my terms" kind of thought patterns of both life partners that is the root cause of the problem. Listening to elders can positively help and a fabulous amount of patience is also needed.
Who is to bell the cat?
