Value Adoption Yesterday and Today

Values are the treasures of life making us wealthy and rich. Values are our friends bringing happiness. A life filled with values is a life of self respect and dignity. The soul comes closer to God. And life becomes more meaningful. Rajayogini BK Dadi Janki, Chief of Brahma Kumaris The study has given me valuable insights into the problems of the aged, the changing social, economic, moral fabric of the society today. We can see that what we read in the news papers is not the entire story. The elderly people are facing many more challenges to lead a normal life than their ancestors had to face. Depletion of values is one of the major causes. Fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. Many factors have contributed to the alienation of the, elders. Migration of the young couples from rural areas to cities in, search of employment to fend for themselves. Elders who have been in control for a long time and are, unwilling to give up responsibility to the children. Youngsters on their part are resentful of the attitude of, the elders. Youngsters who have gone abroad and can’t, accommodate their parents in their homes. Family values support the quality of life: loyalty, being lovable and caring, being supportive and protective, being available for one another during times of special needs, like illness, death, accident, etc. The closer family values are to universal values the healthier and happier the family becomes. Elder abuse rampant in Kerala. (Hindu June 15 2011) Elder abuse has failed to gain focus in society even in states such as Kerala which has highest literacy rare. Property issues dominate the cases in Kerala. In the past, parents used to prepare will to bequeath property after their demise. But today children want to enjoy the property during their lifetime. This has resulted in cases of abuse. Declining values in society contributes a lot to elder abuse. Where there is too much money, the bond of love weakens. Migration of children has worsened the situation in Kerala. Poster exhibition and signature campaign are being organised at a college and a pledge against elder abuse and painting competition are being held in a few schools.