Friday, December 7, 2012

Retirement - Bliss or Misery?


Retirement significantly affected a person's lifestyle in more ways than he imagined. It is also affecting the kith and kin of the retired person. The need of the hour is to focus on the family members and their responsibilities, especially in oriental societies. The prevailing conditions, financial crunch and myopic approach are compelling us to take a serious view of the whole scenario. Subsequently, what is being conspired or transpired is a matter of grave concern?

What factors are responsible for such acts, and deeds are the points to ponder? In oriental societies, retirement is conspicuously becoming the focal point of concern. It is a matter of realistic approach to overcome the existing difficulties. The fast pace of life, desires and needs are becoming the source of fissures in the satellite families. Thus, these factors are affecting the younger generation and their responsibilities towards retired people.

The synopsis of retirement can be classified as bliss or misery. In certain sections of societies, especially in joint family culture it is bliss. The environment, cultural and social activities can become a boon for them. However, in satellite families, it becomes a misery for retired person and their near and dear ones. Therefore, the after-effects of the retirements have lots of tell tale effects. The stories are, either encouraging or depressing depending upon the existing situation in different societies. The situation varies according to the individuals' perception and reactions to financial, social and moral obligations.

It is a fact that retirement affects the health thereby limiting individual's functional abilities and causing depression. It is also a fact that retirement has quite diverse effects for different individuals. In oriental societies, it is more pronounced on moral ground rather than financial or social exigencies. It is considered unethical to leave their retired elders on the mercy of nursing staff. It is obligatory on the part of immediate families and relatives to take care and keep them in their own homes. Whereas, in western societies, it is a norm to leave them with community services and call on them occasionally.

The question arises as to why the immediate family members show their indifferent attitude towards their elders? Analyzing the motives behind such attitude establishes the selfishness, greed and avoiding disturbance in their daily life. It is also a fact that people get influenced by their spouses, relatives and friends. Besides, the aversion to moral obligation and social bondage become the order of the day. This sort of attitude has disastrous effects on the retired people. It slowly plunges them into oblivion, in addition, to causing misery and pain.

Whereas, in families where people look after their elders with dignity, and pride boosts their moral high. It keeps them in good health, and their presence will become a source of happiness and joy. The physical and mental health remains in agility and its shows its effects in the entire family circle. Therefore, retirement will become bliss not only for him but also to the entire family.

On the other hand, the immediate family members are adopting an adverse attitude towards retired or dependent parents. Their arrogance and forced obligations followed by taunting will make the matter worse, both physically and mentally. The misery will become the part and parcel of the dependent parents and relatives in their daily life.

It is, therefore, our duty to ensure peaceful, enjoyable and sense of belonging to our retired and dependent family members. Thereby, we are committed to making their lives blissful and memorable. On the contrary, showing mockery and contemptuous feelings towards our elders will make their lives miserable. This sort of attitude is neither acceptable nor desirable, morally, socially and ethically. As Oscar Wilde says, "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist; that is all."

Plan For Retirement: Turn a Home Into an "Investment"   Retirement Business Ideas for the Happy Couple   Master Key to a Happy Retirement: Finding Purpose   Traveling: The Best of Retirement Business Ideas   



0 comments:

Post a Comment


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。