talking2myself

Holding Onto the Old

I have always had a bit of unease whenever I hear of Western countries attempting to tell third world countries, particularly African countries about how they should run their economies, their politics and all other ‘civilised and modern’ ways of improving their lot.  As we have seen with the ‘credit crunch’, this advice can be fatal.  Malawi’s ignorance of the Western budgetary advice has resulted in the country becoming an exported of basic food stuff in 3 years!

I suppose my unease stems from the fact that most of modern methods are created and judged on Western values but with it comes new and not necessarily better practises.   Sometimes you have to stick with old values and defend them against the march of time.

One of the values I hold dear having grown up in Africa, is the value of old people, especially parents.  The Christies Care survey released recently shows that one in eight adults had not seen their parents for a year or more despite living an average of 66 miles away,  that is less than quite a few people commute every day to work.  One in 10 adults only speak on the telephone with their mother or father once every four weeks.  How many of the others would be the same if Mum and/or Dad did not look after the children as child carers? 

And as they get even older, the care system is creaking under the weight of a growing old population.   Stories abound of old people being abandoned in homes, selling their properties to pay for care and being shifted around when the money runs out.  This is the long term result of the actions that the survey highlights.  If you’re waiting for an inheritance, you might want to reconsider your plans, it is likely to be paying for the log term care of your parents!

I personally know people who never phone their parents, the parents have to phone them or have not met or spoken to a sibling in years.  That just can’t be right, can it?  If that is one of the sacrifices of modern living, I would suggest to those societies racing to the modern times that maybe they should hold on to something old.   The wisdom of the world lies there.

If you happen to be one of the people mentioned in the survey, pick up the phone right now and make an old person’s day, it will make you feel good too.

Here are some links on the subject.  The guardian debates are quite interesting.

If you’re old and still in touch with your family, count your blessings

Why phoning home is alien to children

One in eights adults have not seen their parents in over a year

May you find the balance.