After spending 64 days trapped underground, one would think the Chile miners would be ecstatic to see all their loved ones and even put petty estrangements to rest. But the only emotion a few miners felt for their family was anger and disregard!
One guy was most annoyed with his father for giving interviews where he said he was concerned about his son, because they had a fight before he got trapped. Another one refused to attend a party hosted by his family in his honour since he wanted his partner, not them, to host the first bash. The scorned family in retaliation has now announced “he is dead for us”.
Whatever happened to blood being thicker than water and all that? Even in India, where we go on and on about family values, forget showing respect, some can’t even be asked to acknowledge a close relative. Karishma and Kareena Kapoor always brag about their lineage and being part of the Kapoor khandan, but refuse to be cordial with any of their aunts, uncles or cousins. They don’t even feel it’s necessary to bond much with their dad! When Rishi Kapoor’s daughter Ridhima was getting married in Delhi, Karishma who lives in the same city refused to attend.
Kajol is another one who isn’t warm to her cousin Rani Mukherjee. While she goes out of her way to be nice to hubby Ajay Devgn’s family and friends like SRK and KJO, she finds it difficult to even say hello to Rani. If there was a family split involved or someone stole your money or something horrid happened then fair enough, but why be snooty when the other person hasn’t done anything?
Sociologist, Prof Daniel David of Madras Christian College says forget celebrities, how many ordinary people connect with their family?
As the joint family structure faces extinction individuals have realised they are too busy to keep in touch with people who don’t benefit them in any way. “We have become very self-centered. It’s all about ‘What can I get’ from a relationship. If you are not gaining any financial or emotional benefits from a person you feel there is no point in being nice to them.” Traditional family roles too are changing. A daughter-in-law is no longer submissive. She is an independent career girl with her own bank balance, so why would she want to take orders from a mother-in-law or lie low to a sister-in-law?
As far as celebs go, Prof David says, “A public image is very different from what they are in their private lives.” Kareena Kapoor must be thinking there is no need for her to put her life on hold for her dad since he wasn’t there for them in her childhood. As far as the cousins go, she grew up fine without them, so why bother befriending them now? For bonding and confiding there’s the sister, mother, her friends and ofcourse boyfriend.
Along with globalisation, we are now dealing with westernisation. Looks like the future is all about keeping in touch with sadly just immediate family.