Younger Generation - Plan Your Relationships NOW!

This is a short article; characteristically blunt–as is my habit, uncomfortable for some, old hat for others, and obvious for yet others. And yet, this – for want of a better word, extrapolation given below – is something that has most likely not occurred to most in the younger generation so far as I am aware. This is a time that is a harbinger of seminal change in Indian society, with its increasingly smaller and yet smaller sizes – which brings with it a set of challenges that are disturbing indeed.

Today most of us have a decently large set of Brothers, Sisters and First Cousins; they are fun, at times nutty, at other times angry, and then at yet other times a massive support base for all of us. They are the extended family we take oftentimes for granted, they will always be there types. But critically, this situation as on current evidence, rests only for us – this generation. We are closely connected to our siblings; and we have large families. What of the next generation?

Sure, they too are connected; and this is not just due to their parents close relationships. The coming generation is also linked to their first & at times second cousins. But they have way too few of thiese cousins, real siblings due to a tectonic population shift – parents now have far fewer children than earlier. For example while in our generation, we have a literal dozens of First Cousins + Real Siblings alone – just the next generation has these relations in single digits. While I can count close personal contacts with well other 20 Brothers and Sisters on both sides – just the next generation lists these close relationships in the low single digits!

Now just extrapolate two generations. Going by the current norm of Parents + 1 o2 two Children – chances are real that the total relationships {let alone close} in the late 2000s and early 2100s will have reduced to less than 10.  You are looking at a society that is completely unitary, with only one real sibling, and a rough max of 4 first cousins only. This is the reality that is staring all of us in the face – and mark my words, this will – is sure to – trigger massive internal changes in society. This goes to the core of the structure of our society. Compare it to our generation, and realize the danger that it holds, a danger we can do nothing about, absolutely nothing, for obvious reasons. The benefits of small families are too numerous and well known to list here.

So, what do we do? From what I see now – one of two things. First, maybe have larger families, like 8 kids. Oh, by the way, just for starters, that means 8 School Fees sets, approx 70,000 at the minimum. Per month. That alone is 1.25 times Annual Per Capita Income by the by and by the way. You can, of course, if interested, try this path. One clear advantage – you will appreciate how hard it was for your grandparents who raised large families all by their lonesome.

Method 2. Anticipate the change that is certain to happen – and mould your behavior accordingly. You can choose & decide you don’t need siblings – I don’t want or need a large support base / family – fine by us, the senior generation. Or you can start building deep personal contacts among those who are now your first cousins, bring them as close to your hearts as your real siblings, and build a lasting community connect – this will benefit your coming generations, as blood ties out in F3 F4 generations – and if nothing else, you bequeath them a strong & robust clannic relationship – a strong clan of relationships of 3^rd 4^th etc cousins.

The Choice, my children, is yours. Over to you, from us – the 40-somethings. Your lives, your call. Sayonara!