Parents are the soul and the life for their children. Basically, they are the first love of their children because they nurture and take care of them. But today in Pakistani society, it feels like parents and children are not able to communicate properly – particularly when it comes to the subject of marriage. Many children, even those who have already graduated and have careers, are not able to pick a life partner of their choice without their parents’ permission.
Many parents would argue in favour of the old-school tradition that they know better about the perfect choice of partner for their child, since they have lived longer. Most of them would also say that they want their children to settle with a proper career, and then think about marriage.
Due to this clash between parents and children, more adults are finding it difficult to find any freedom in living their lives to choose. A student from college I had contacted for this article told me: “I am a 23-year-old guy and there is a girl I am interested in and want to marry. She has agreed to my proposal as well. However, my parents are the biggest roadblocks, as they are urging me to focus on establishing a career before thinking such things! It would take me at least four to five years to settle down, so why should I wait this long for my right to marry according to my choice?” He went on to add that due to his parents’ refusal to support his decision, he refuses to engage or spend time with them.
Parents should be willing to understand the needs of their children and stop imposing their own beliefs on them. Many should realise that they need to trust that their grown-up child is able to take responsibility and can make decisions on their own, and allow them to make decisions about themselves on their own, so that their bond would remain strong.
