Dependents

With due respect to the meanings given in the dictionary about this English word, I have my own opinion about this word or its meaning.

Lets start from the new born babies, we feel and kind of believe that they are dependent on their parents totally for everything. True, I am not denying. But I guess even vice versa is true. Parents, grandparents, relative, neighbors, society etc. are actually dependent on the kid’s smile, presence, voice, cry and what not, its actually a living toy for them. Parents grow up with this tiny tot and keep learning from them during every phase of their growth. So now, who is dependent?

With elders at home, they are totally and financially independent as they worked for the entire life and saved enough, in almost all the normal cases. Yeah, there will be outliers, lets not talk about them. So parents are not dependent on their children. Now with the advent of technology its feasible to get everything home, pre-cooked eatables, or hire maids, cabs, groceries and what not. But children need support (physical, psychological etc) from parents. Their presence makes the difference.  So now, who is dependent on whom?

Teens in other countries starts working really early, might be as they look for financial freedom early and other freedoms which comes along with it. In our country too, there are many examples where kids start earning early, even from well-to-do families. Teens can start earning while learning too, its manageable. Google baba is there for support too for any required info. So according to me frankly speaking if teens decide they cannot be called as dependents.

To conclude, according to me no one should have the guilt that they are dependents. And others should not feel proud unnecessarily only because they write in their income tax form that they have so many dependents. The person is able to take care of someone else (physically, financially or otherwise) because of

·       love, affection, fulfillment, satisfaction, “give and take”, duty,

·       he / she is blessed with brain and can earn / spend too,

·       is blessed with all physical body parts, sensory organs and they are functional etc.

Those who are spiritual or believe in God or nature etc. when a kid is born, HE is ready with the plan of action. The parents who don’t take care of their kids, there are others who come forward, but he / she is taken care.

One more practical example, a working girl / lady is dependent on maids in India for household help and the maid is dependent on the girl / lady for financial support. So win-win situation for all and in effect everything is nullified. If things don’t work out maid will get a new job, and lady will get a new maid or new way of getting the work done. So its fine. Absolutely no dependency according to me. Go ahead and perform your duties with wide smile on your face every moment. Chill. That’s it.