Ashiq Hussain
Have we become so busy building our future that we have forgotten the people who sacrificed their present to secure it?
We live in an age of remarkable progress, where success is measured by wealth, social status, professional achievements, and material possessions. People work tirelessly to improve their standard of living and earn recognition in society. Yet, amid this relentless pursuit of success, an important question deserves our attention: are we gradually forgetting the parents whose sacrifices made our progress possible?
Parents are among the greatest blessings of human life. They dedicate their time, energy, and resources to nurturing their children, fulfilling their needs, and preparing them to face the challenges of the world. They often sacrifice their own comforts and dreams to provide their children with better opportunities. However, as children grow older and become independent, some gradually distance themselves from the very people who stood beside them during their most vulnerable years.
The growing influence of materialism
One of the major reasons behind the neglect of parents is the growing materialistic mindset of modern society. Many people have begun to believe that money is the ultimate measure of happiness and success. Consequently, some children assume that providing financial support to their parents is sufficient to fulfil their responsibilities.
What they often fail to understand is that parents need more than money. They need affection, respect, compassion, and emotional companionship. Financial security may provide comfort, but it cannot replace the warmth of a loving conversation, the joy of spending time together, or the reassurance of being valued by one’s children.
Unfortunately, in the pursuit of material prosperity, some children become so occupied with their ambitions that they overlook the emotional needs of their parents. They may provide everything money can buy while neglecting the things that money cannot purchase.
The cycle of neglect
Perhaps one of the less discussed aspects of parental neglect is the influence of family upbringing. Sometimes, parents themselves may contribute to this problem through the example they set for their children.
Children learn not only from their parents’ advice but also from their behaviour. When they observe their parents neglecting or disrespecting their own elders, they may gradually begin to consider such behaviour normal. In this way, the neglect of parents can sometimes become a cycle that passes from one generation to the next.
However, this does not mean that every neglected parent is responsible for their circumstances. Family relationships are complex, and every individual has a personal responsibility to treat others with dignity and compassion. Nevertheless, the example set within a family can have a lasting influence on the values children develop.
Society’s obsession with wealth and status
Another important factor contributing to this problem is society’s growing obsession with wealth and social status.
We live in a world where people are sometimes judged by how much they earn rather than by who they are. Those with greater financial resources may receive admiration and recognition, while those who earn less may be unfairly looked down upon.
This social pressure encourages people to pursue wealth, sometimes at the expense of their emotional well-being and family relationships. In their desire to gain recognition, individuals may become so focused on achieving material success that they forget the values that make success meaningful.
The tragedy is that society often teaches children how to become successful but does not always give equal importance to teaching them how to remain humble, compassionate, and respectful. As a result, we risk creating a world in which material prosperity grows while human relationships gradually weaken.
The role of parents in building moral values
Although society influences our attitudes, the family remains one of the most important places where moral values are developed.
Parents should teach their children the importance of love, compassion, gratitude, and respect, not merely through words but through their everyday actions. When children see their parents treating elders with dignity, helping those in need, and showing kindness towards others, they learn that these values are essential to a meaningful life.
Respect cannot be cultivated through lectures alone; it must be demonstrated through conduct. A home in which kindness is practised, affection is expressed, and elders are treated with dignity can help children develop a lasting appreciation for human relationships.
Parents should therefore remember that the greatest legacy they can leave their children is not merely wealth or property, but a strong moral foundation that guides them throughout their lives.
A message to today’s youth
My message to today’s youth is simple: never allow the pursuit of success to make you forget your parents.
You may achieve a prestigious position, accumulate wealth, and earn the admiration of thousands, but material achievements alone cannot guarantee inner peace or emotional fulfilment. A meaningful life also requires gratitude, compassion, and relationships built on mutual respect.
Our parents may not always express their expectations, but they often value our time, attention, and affection more than expensive gifts. A few moments spent listening to them, a kind word spoken at the right time, or a simple gesture of care can mean more to them than we realise.
We should not wait until our parents grow old or become dependent on us to recognise their importance. Love and respect should be expressed while we have the opportunity to share our lives with them.
At the same time, respecting parents does not mean that family relationships are always simple or that harmful behaviour should be accepted. Genuine respect must go hand in hand with dignity, understanding, and compassion on all sides.
Conclusion: What is the true price of progress?
Progress is undoubtedly necessary, and material success has its own importance. However, progress loses some of its meaning when it comes at the cost of love, compassion, and family relationships.
A society cannot be considered truly progressive merely because its people are wealthier, its buildings are taller, or its technology is more advanced. True progress is also reflected in the kindness of its people, the strength of its relationships, and the dignity with which its elders are treated.
Perhaps the most important question is not how far we have progressed materially, but how much humanity we have preserved along the way.
Let us strive to build successful careers without neglecting our families, accumulate wealth without losing our values, and reach great heights without forgetting the hands that helped us rise. After all, the real measure of progress is not merely what we achieve in life, but also the love, respect, and humanity we carry with us.
(The author teaches english at St. Peters International Accademy, Anantnag)
