Q: You know this statement, “It takes
a whole village to raise a child,” but
today parents are busy, and sometimes
grandparents aren’t around. How do we
create this in our current social fabric?
It is no longer the traditional way. Do
teachers and mentors take on this role?
How do we re-establish the wisdom
bridge in a dysfunctional society?
It’s very difficult now. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child.
And now when migration is happening – from village to
city – you’re entering into a totally different environment
where people are unknown to each other. Even in a high-
rise building with 200 apartments, do you know your
neighbor? When such is the situation, how are we going
to come together and share knowledge? Moreover when
there is no trust left, when you don’t even trust your uncles
and aunts, when pedophiles are everywhere, it’s so difficult
to trust someone with your child. What happens as a result?
Where is the transfer of knowledge and wisdom among
families?So I really don’t have an easy solution to offer, but let’s
make use of technology and share something worthwhile
instead of surfing and wasting time in unproductive things.
I don’t say that all are wasting time in unproductive things,
but we can make it even better. Life can be enriched using
technology. I think technology is the only way many families
can come together and make a virtual village, and share
knowledge, share wisdom, share activities that can be
taken up at an individual level. I think that’s the only way
we can proceed forward. Of course it will not be as good
as the whole community of a village coming together.July 2019 11