The Pangs of Prosperity

"Does anyone travel by a bus” an innocuous & innocent poser from a 7 year daughter of my prosperous friend set me thinking. Blessed with 3 cars & having never set foot on a bus, she was genuinely posing such a query not out of lofty self-aggrandizement but perhaps out of blissful ignorance to deprivations around. Children of successful Millennials’ - of the liberalized generation -  who have never seen “rationing” but only abundant “choices” grow up thinking that this is "Normal" ;for parents of such kids it is the “New Normal”. While as doting parents we pray that our kids remain blessed for life, a reality check is essential to induce greater awareness.

People of the previous generation, during their childhood, were much happier with smaller mercies. They either walked to school or used public transport for school busses had not made their flashy entry yet. Some corporates – including where my father worked - provided transport to the children of their employees to schools & that was seen as a genuine luxury & awe inspiring to others. Birthdays entailed sharing a toffee with each of the class students & a “Happy birthday to you” chorus generated great joy. Contrast that with the current trend of birthday bashes, return gifts & the difference is stark.  A school outing to a zoo or a park made the day then but only a foreign excursion does so today. Ignorance of realities - faced by the vast teeming millions of the Indian population today or of the experiences of the previous generation - are indeed the pangs of prosperity.

My father was an officer in a PSU & we had a charmed life. Off course by grandfather was a humble farmer who started out in a thatched hut. To ensure that biting realities are understood by his children my father took me through 3^rd class train journeys on some occasions. The sweaty surroundings, the unclean toilets & the lack of adequate breathing spaces were in stark contrast to the salubrious climes of 2^nd class or A/C that we usually travelled.  But the reality check of what a majority of Indians endure daily was immersed. Likewise, I never understood poverty & the concept of hunger until my father made me go without dinner & relinquished the same himself for the day as a sign of solidarity with a learning child. There are some who might call these measures harsh but I have definitely gained through such immersion programs & would suggest similar learning programs for other doting parents too. The pangs of poverty have to be experienced to create a more inclusive & understanding society.

The pangs of prosperity may seem oxymoronic to some but unless reality checks are introduced the current generation may not be in a position to tackle the pangs of poverty if such a situation unfortunately arises. Even if they remain well off they need to be appreciative of the pangs of poverty to be more inclusive.  India runs on domestic help & the abuse & their immediate termination on perceived inefficiency is in stark contrast to the demands of compensation when served with pink slips. Children should be educated to respect domestic help – maids, cooks, drivers’ et al. Off course it should start with parents first.

Asking for everything under the sun is child’s nature & as doting parents we succumb to such demands courtesy our own guilt feelings of not spending enough time with the child. We are more than willing to spend money but not time. Will this over a period of time lead to the decimation of the famed Indian family values?  The danger it appears is lurking near.

While spending time over money is essential, inculcating the concept of saving among kids is critical. Give them a rupee a day with the freedom to buy a toffee daily or save enough for a few days to indulge oneself with a Cadbury 5 star. Likewise teenagers could be given Rs 10 (say) daily to be used as pocket money that can be immediately consumed or saved to buy dresses of choice over a few months. A kid who has not spent any money for a year (say) is rewarded with 10% extra at the end of the year not only to make the concept of "interest" clearer but also to give them a nuanced understanding of the advantages of postponing current consumption. Going forward opening an account for a teenager in the bank would help. Learning on alternate consumption options & teaching simple ways to analyse the cost benefit analysis of such decisions could make kids more responsible.

Parents & teachers are perhaps in the best position to teach kids make rational choices, develop an inclusive mind-set & be appreciative of deprivations around. Options are many on how to make that possible. It is, therefore, left largely to parents to make enlightening interventions to make a kid’s transition through life easier.