We, The Limited Edition Generation

My father was a Sales Representative, by profession. His job consisting of everyday tours there would be days together when my brother and I wouldn't see him because he would leave before we woke up and reach home after we slept. My mother had to do the multitasking, a term quite unfamiliar in those days. At times, I would assist her in household chores, and my brother would lend a helping hand in external work. I am sure many of you born between the 50's and early 70's whom we now refer to as The Limited Edition Generation, have a similar story to share. We went to school, we studied on our own, we helped our parents, there was none to guide us, we became responsible from an early age, we struggled to acquire jobs. At this point, I am reminded of a quote, "There are two things, no human being will endure, that he has no sense of humour, and that he has never known trouble." I have often observed we pat our own backs, and blow our own trumpets, regarding our trials and tribulations to the present younger generation. I do agree we came up the tough way, fended for ourselves and that in certain aspects our children are better off than us, and didn't have to bear the brunt like us. 

 But, let us pause for a while and rack our brains. We are what we are, because of our parents. Just as we take the credit of our children's achievements, similarly, we must do the same with our parents too. Therefore, we must admit that because our parents gave us complete freedom, possessed untold confidence in us that we grew up to become responsible people. That was their style of upbringing. Letting us free, so that we learn to fly on our own. The number of children in each family then was more than three. The father was the bread-winner and the mother the home-maker. Neither had time for their children. So we were bound to become responsible and learn on our own. Let's raise a toast for ourselves.

 However, when it came to our children, we completely overturned the grooming process. We interfered with each aspect, subtly snatching away their freedom. We were their decision-makers emphasizing our decree with the punch line, "We are more experienced than you...........we want to give you what we were deprived of." The one or two children that we have, we want to make them all rounders, obliviously instilling a spirit of cut-throat competition into them. Between the ages of 16 to 18, they are bound to leave homes to further their studies. In our generation boys didn't budge from the shelter of their parents until they got a job and girls till they got married. Whereas, the present younger generation has to look for greener pastures from a very early age. Inspite of parents providing amenities, they have to accommodate to a new environment, work very hard to be in the race, adjust with food and friends etc. Once into a job, they handle greater pressure to reach targets, thanks to globalization. We tend to gain self sympathy by saying, "We are the Limited Edition Generation, which obeyed its parents and we are now listening to our children." It is we who gave them the choice of opening up to us. Our parents knew where to draw the line between them and us. However, we erased that line for our children, repeating oft times, "Treat me as your friend!!" Now, when they are being candid we retort, "Parents once taught their children to talk, today children teach their parents to keep quiet." 

Not that I am being biased to the present generation. I too belong to the Limited Edition Generation, what I want to put forth is, let us not have complaints regarding their behaviour and let us not give ourselves airs about our upbringing. They are as we have brought them up. With the impact of western culture, the internet and the like, some of them are going astray and getting far too wayward, this definitely needs to be checked. However, it goes without saying that in this highly competitive world, the present younger generation is struggling hard to keep afloat, so let us understand them and lend a helping hand. Let us keep in mind, that it is not what we have done for our children, but what we have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. The greatness of the coach is to reveal the player's capability. The greatness of the players is to live up to that capability.