India still relies on the Joint Family system, where Americans have a Nuclear set-up. With a Nuclear family, America faces problems that can become too individually focused. If you visit India, it is likely you will see 4 generations living together. A very modest society. Just today, we visited a family where the youngest was 7, and the eldest was 95. To us, this may seem strange, but to Indians, this is the norm. A Joint family has countless benefits. First and foremost, there is always someone around to instill strong values into the younger generations. Not only is this leading by example, but it eliminates the need for a nanny or a baby-sitter. It is not unlikely that you will be greeted with a warm “Namaste” and a piping hot cup of “Chai”.
Indians are very Traditional and a very Proud Culture. They have many traditions to share with their youngster’s, and they need to carry these onto future generations without getting too distracted with this Heavy Technological Age that we find ourselves living in. Indians are very emotional. They show this, and pass this along to future generations by raising them the right way. So how can we learn from each other? As India develops, one can only hope that they learn from America’s mistakes.
In the past 20 years, the United States has seen an increase in Nuclear Families, Materialism, Individualism, and a heavy reliance on Technology. We do not have the personal touch that is such an important aspect to Human Beings. A majority of our children will go to school for 8 hours, come home and sit in front of the television, play video games, text each other, and play with their I-pods. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen to our neighbors to the East, but isn’t it inevitable? Not necessarily. If the Indians can take their strong sense of Consciousness and understand how important the “Human Aspect” of life is, then they can help to avoid this almost inevitable burden that comes with a Developing Country.
Meanwhile in America, with today’s current financial crisis, it is preferred that Generation X-ers coming home to move back with the folks could gain insight from the Joint Family. I would hope to see this, but more likely to happen is Depression and a Strong Sense of Failure. Why? Because these are the pressures a Developed Country puts on you. If you do not go out and succeed, then you Fail. Isn’t that right? Turn 18, Move Out, Get a Job, Raise Your Family with your Spouse alone. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Let us get a sense of Awareness that it is ok to Fail because this will only help you persevere even harder in the future. Use the Challenge that presents itself and turn it into an Opportunity to get to know and Love your Family better.
It is explained that Indians are very emotional. To a certain extent, Americans are emotional, but our society as a whole does not believe in “Karma”. Karma is the Buddhist law of central causation. It is best explained as what you do and what you say affects everything around you on a cosmic level. The main thing one should take from it is, in my view, that when one comes to the realization that life affects life, compassion is the only true recourse. If I know that my actions cause an imbalance or pain, and those actions, in return, come full circle and affect my own happiness, then I also find myself more careful in both word and deed. Joint Families are going away as India Develops. As our GSE team moves through India, and interview citizens, we are finding that as the city sees more progress in ways of Development; there is more competition for jobs, longer hours worked, and a dual income needed to survive.
Let us learn from each other in every aspect.
Let’s create a better society for all to live in.
Let’s take the Strengths of both Nations and nurture them.
Let’s learn from each other’s mistakes.
Let’s be more Aware and Conscious in this ever increasing Global Village that we Live in…
Indians are very Traditional and a very Proud Culture. They have many traditions to share with their youngster’s, and they need to carry these onto future generations without getting too distracted with this Heavy Technological Age that we find ourselves living in. Indians are very emotional. They show this, and pass this along to future generations by raising them the right way. So how can we learn from each other? As India develops, one can only hope that they learn from America’s mistakes.
In the past 20 years, the United States has seen an increase in Nuclear Families, Materialism, Individualism, and a heavy reliance on Technology. We do not have the personal touch that is such an important aspect to Human Beings. A majority of our children will go to school for 8 hours, come home and sit in front of the television, play video games, text each other, and play with their I-pods. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen to our neighbors to the East, but isn’t it inevitable? Not necessarily. If the Indians can take their strong sense of Consciousness and understand how important the “Human Aspect” of life is, then they can help to avoid this almost inevitable burden that comes with a Developing Country.
Meanwhile in America, with today’s current financial crisis, it is preferred that Generation X-ers coming home to move back with the folks could gain insight from the Joint Family. I would hope to see this, but more likely to happen is Depression and a Strong Sense of Failure. Why? Because these are the pressures a Developed Country puts on you. If you do not go out and succeed, then you Fail. Isn’t that right? Turn 18, Move Out, Get a Job, Raise Your Family with your Spouse alone. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Let us get a sense of Awareness that it is ok to Fail because this will only help you persevere even harder in the future. Use the Challenge that presents itself and turn it into an Opportunity to get to know and Love your Family better.
It is explained that Indians are very emotional. To a certain extent, Americans are emotional, but our society as a whole does not believe in “Karma”. Karma is the Buddhist law of central causation. It is best explained as what you do and what you say affects everything around you on a cosmic level. The main thing one should take from it is, in my view, that when one comes to the realization that life affects life, compassion is the only true recourse. If I know that my actions cause an imbalance or pain, and those actions, in return, come full circle and affect my own happiness, then I also find myself more careful in both word and deed. Joint Families are going away as India Develops. As our GSE team moves through India, and interview citizens, we are finding that as the city sees more progress in ways of Development; there is more competition for jobs, longer hours worked, and a dual income needed to survive.
Let us learn from each other in every aspect.
Let’s create a better society for all to live in.
Let’s take the Strengths of both Nations and nurture them.
Let’s learn from each other’s mistakes.
Let’s be more Aware and Conscious in this ever increasing Global Village that we Live in…
Some one has put on a BIG thinking hat. I am touched. Such profound observation regarding our culture.
ReplyDeletePlease be in touch if any clarifications are needed. Any observation needs debate; I will be at your service.
Regards,
Kapil