Young pros debate: The family’s role in modern society

May 15 marks the International family day. Over the years, the International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising events. In many countries, this day provides an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest related to families. This year, we asked some young professionals about the importance of the family cell in striking a balance between their work and personal lives.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17222","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29177 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"229","height":"232","alt":"Zohra Gunglee"}}]]Zohra Gunglee: “It is the primary cell of social life”

Economics educator for a private secondary school, Zohra Gunglee argues that a family is the very first institution in each person’s life – it is the primary cell of social life. “It is the first educational institution attended by any individual where they learn to master all the basics of life. Educational institutions they later attend will build upon what children have been taught within the family. However, when a family fails to fulfil this task, other institutions have to remedy its failures. Sadly, some people do not have the time to make of their family, the institution it should be.” For her, there is no doubt that the family cell still plays as much an important role in society as it did before. “I would even say that today, a family holds much more importance than decades ago. This is because, the ‘outside’ society is facing a gradual degradation and if the family is a strong enough institution and does not instil proper values within its members, then, further degradation of society will become inevitable. The best advice and the most valuable knowledge I have received in life came from my family, my first teachers, my parents and my grandparents who have all prepared me to live in society as a responsible individual.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17217","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29172 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"240","height":"217","alt":"Giovanni Novesh Veeranah"}}]]Giovanni Novesh Veeranah: “Lifestyle changes in family life”

A fashion designer, Giovanni Novesh Veeranah explains that no standard of value, attitude and behaviour can stand ground within society without the functions or achievements of the family. “No wonder that all societal changes affecting the family are considered suspicious and usually give rise to controversies about the family’s future. Most debates encompass extreme standpoints of radicals who assume, in view of changes within the family structure, and of those who feel obliged to accelerate the destruction of the family unit, in order to free men from a prison which prevent them from realising themselves.” According to him, nowadays, we are confronted with some changes in the lifestyle of the family which give rise to the need for an explanation. “Today, there is the increasing phenomena which were once rare and rather thinly scattered, such as: living together, ‘successive polygamy,’ divorce and abortion.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17219","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29174 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"246","height":"246","alt":"Noor Hussenee"}}]]Noor Hussenee: “Communication within a couple is necessary”

30-year Noor Hussenee is a lawyer and is married to a pharmacist. He confides that it is not easy to balance professional and personal lives but at the same time it is necessary. “A lawyer is a 24/7 job where you move from court to office and meet clients. When you have cases, you need to prepare at night. Sometimes, I have to work according to the UK timezone. There are often conference calls and I cannot go out. I have cancelled various outings due to work.” Nevertheless, he avers that he has a very supportive wife who understands him very well. “Comprehension and communication within a couple is necessary. I try my best to dedicate at least three Sundays every month to my family. Even my wife remains very busy but I understand her. Understanding is indeed very important.” According to him, before marriage, a person should prepare himself mentally for the future responsibilities. “A married person should always listen to what his or her partner has to say. They need to adapt to circumstances. One should never forget that family is paramount. A perfect life does not exist but what is crucial is how you manage your relationships.”

Striking the right work-life balance

There is always a misconception that young professionals are having a hard time to balance their professional and personal lives. This week, we met three working young professionals who share how they manage their time.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17220","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29175 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"211","height":"488","alt":"Teenah Jutton"}}]]Teenah Jutton: “I always set my priorities”

29-year old Teenah is a lecturer and has been married since last November. She is currently doing her PhD and she is a Global Shaper of The Global Shapers Community – which is an initiative of the World Economic Forum which provides the youth with a global platform to shape the future – integrating the personal, community and global dimension. Despite being involved in various activities, she manages her time very well. “I believe that planning is key. I always set my priorities and have my goals and targets well-defined. I believe that clarity of vision allows you to master your life. As Robin Sharma says it, “Clarity precedes mastery, Clarity is Power”. Time management is life management. Effective time management helps me to fulfil my responsibilities and daily roles as a lecturer, a wife, a daughter-in-law, a daughter, a sister, a friend as well as find time for my hobbies, go to the gym and live my passion. She narrates that when her dad passed a few years back, She saw how her mother and sister were shattered. She took the pledge to fill to her best the roles which her father used to do. “I believe that as women, we should not give up on our dreams and aspirations, whatever the situations. We should keep our determination and will power and persist. And yes, having married, or getting a child should in no way be perceived as ‘obstacles’. On the contrary, we should make them become our support systems and use them as stepping stones adding to the splendour of our being.” For her, family and relationships are the essences of life. “I am who I am today thanks to the upbringing of my parents, the values they instilled in me and the support and love they gave me. Family is the fuel which keeps us going and thriving. Carving out time to spend with loved ones is important. It keeps us rooted, gives us a feeling of well-being and belonging. In additional, of what use are the achievements you get or material success you achieve if there is no one to share them with and if they serve no one but yourself.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17221","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29176 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"210","height":"305","alt":"Yassin Hamuth"}}]]Yassin Hamuth: “We are happy despite professional hassles”

33-year old Yassine is a medical practitionner at Apollo Bramwell Hospital since 2009. He married Sajjida – the Director of a medical centre in Port Louis – in May 2011. The couple has two daughters. He explains that a doctor’s life is very hectic. “We need to always be available for emergences and we have to manage huge loads of patients who are chronically ill. Luckily, my wife has a good understanding of the exigencies of my profession and provides me all the support required so that I can practice my profession safely and effectively. I am able to free myself on Sundays when I am not on duty to spend more time with family and parents. As a doctor, things are unpredictable and emergencies happen anytime, thus, I need to always be prepared. I took the Hippocratic Oath to always give the best and honest treatment to my patients.” Yassin reveals that as a doctor he has to make compromises. “Luckily, I have a wife who is very open minded and understand those issues are thus we are able to live happily despite all the professional hassles. When you do your job professionally and correctly, the stress is less which keeps the family happier. I think that a mother is the pillar of the family. Her care, attention and support are vital success in a man’s professional life. The kids help to forget the work stress and hectic life. It is always very pleasant to have kids jumping on your laps the moment you reach home after a hard day.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17218","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29173 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"235","height":"267","alt":"Leena Koobaraiva"}}]]Leena Koobaraiva: “We are more concerned about earning”

Leena Koobaraiva is in the field of secondary education and believes that family is losing its significance in our society. “With the advent of technology, life seems to get more complicated. The family is losing its place as an institution. For some, the family might mean their whole existence, whereas for others it might simply have no significance at all.” She further confides: “The mothers were the homemakers where they would inculcate the traditions and beliefs. It’s no longer the case. Nowadays, we have mostly working parents who are trying to make ends meet and it is difficult for them to balance work with family time. This undoubtedly has some added benefits for the family as there is lesser financial stresses. However, the wife and husband might swap responsiblities depending on their work schedule.” She feels there is a degradation of good values. “Facebook, smartphones and other social devices have drawn teenagers closer to strangers and distanced them from their own parents. For most of our them, communicating with a stranger is easier than keeping in touch with their own ones. Respect, feelings, and emotions are merely words. In this materialistic world, we are only concerned about how to earn a better life whether by hook or crook.”

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"17216","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-29171 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"246","height":"294","alt":"Abhishek Fowdur"}}]]Abhishek Fowdur: “The best surrounding to learn”

Abhishek Fowdur works in the marketing department at Amity Global Business School. For him, the family is the first foundation of society. “It should be always noted that education starts at home. Values, manners, and discipline are taught during childhood by the elders. But the question that arises, does such an education still exist at home nowadays?” Abhishek avers that a family is considered as an institution, however, it depends on the type of family. “Are the family single parents, widowed, working parents, or divorced mother and father? All these have a key impact. Because economic factors will have an influence on the size of the family. Each family needs financial stability. To survive nowadays, due to inflation, both the mother and the father need to work to bear the expenses. And to some extent, the essence of parenthood is not active since it is being compensated by private tuitions or electronic passions. And on the other hand, a child is in need of committed parents along with care.”