Family Futures

[

] 29

dvancing

ocial

ntegration

and

ntergenerational

olidarity

Certainly the second generation, having a genuine empathy

for their parents and compassion for the elderly, will be

better positioned to provide the direct care of their own

parents or at least support social policies that best provide

for the ageing.

However, in terms of potential quality care exchanged

between generations as mentioned above, the opposite

is true for families plagued by unresolved conflict. Such

families become fragile and splintered; there is less natural

inclination to care for other generations and the very

substance of what makes us better human beings dries up.

The individual and society bear the consequences of this

painful fragmentation.

The family has a key purpose and therefore deserves

protection and support. The family benefits from a social

recognition of the unique and essential human need and

purpose it is meant to fulfil. Families thrive in cultures

that uphold the value of parents and affirm the virtues that

enhance family relationships such as commitment, personal

responsibility, respect, fidelity, filial piety and empathy.

Just as literacy, health and technology education are neces-

sary for socioeconomic development, society can support

social development through education about healthy rela-

tionships and decision-making, starting with young people

and respecting the parents’ role as the primary educators of

children. Further, for building mutual respect between the

genders, most of us can improve ourselves and our own rela-

tionships by learning skills to constructively assert ourselves

and handle conflict, so as to avoid abuse and increase

genuine understanding and connection.

As we now look to establish the Sustainable Development

Goals, we have to work to empower the family at all levels.

Affirming the family as fundamental in the formation of every

human being and in the intergenerational ties that bind us

to one another is a crucial starting point that was omitted by

the MDGs. Societies that protect and support the unique and

primal purpose of parents and the family will garner more social

stability between generations. This, of course, is an enormous

challenge, but much of this challenge is rooted in the need for

personal improvement in our own lives and families. But there

again if, upon personal reflection, most of us detect a need for

greater genuine human connection and family solidarity, then

it is in this very realization that we understand the significance

of the universal human need for strong family ties.

The family is a unique resource of love, guidance, and compassion that must be supported and protected

Image: BigBrotherMouse