My family’s experience: A lesson I didn’t expect
Introduction
I rarely want to include any of my family members in my articles apart from my daughter and husband. But my experience on the eve of ‘International Family Day’ compelled me to include other family members in my blog.
Yes, you understood me correctly.
Family is the fundamental unit of society. To keep this structure healthy, we often follow certain unwritten rules and responsibilities that help create harmony within the family.
This is the basic courtesy we can show one another to keep the family structure intact.
The Beginning of a New Chapter.
This is my niece from my husband’s family, who recently completed her LLM from a prestigious university. She and a friend came to stay with me for a few days. Both are applying for law-related jobs and had interviews at a law firm in Gurugram.
I’ve never treated my husband’s family and my own family differently. I have always believed that relationships should not come with boundaries.
Life sometimes teaches us that not everyone feels the same way. I still try to have meaningful relationships with everyone.
I’ve been married for a long time, but I still try to keep good relationships with everyone.
So, please refrain from judging me, as I have never shied away from my responsibilities, regardless of their origin.
So, these two girls were with us in Delhi, about 18 km from their interview venue.
My husband was feeling very proud of his niece’s educational achievements ( she has cleared her NET exam with 97.3 percentile marks).
Back in 2020, during the COVID outbreak, our niece had passed her Class 12th exam. Her mother was really worried about her education.
Her family was so conservative that they would have enrolled her in any college near her home. By the time she finished, news of her marriage would have spread.
When her mother asked us for advice, we suggested a residential college and convinced her family to send her there. Somehow, she enrolled in that college and completed her LLB degree.
Meanwhile, her family tried to arrange her marriage, but it wasn’t possible anyway. She started working hard to finish her education, convincing her father. Her role model was my daughter, who was eight months older and had already started her own career.
Now that she has completed her LLM and is pursuing her PhD, she is also looking for a job.
The Desire to Stand on One’s Own Feet
When we cry for a high unemployment rate, we actually try to echo the pains and distress of unemployed youths. It’s really sad to see them being dependent on their guardians for their expenses even after finishing their education.
Many young people, especially after years of education and hard work, feel emotionally uncomfortable relying on their parents for expenses.
The pain of being dependent on others is already unbearable. The horrific scams in all-important exams, and the lack of permanent jobs are making the scene worse.
Today, economic uncertainty, changing job markets and delays in employment opportunities are causing frustration among young people around the world.
The situation is so dire that words fall short to describe their pain.
Never take your privileges for granted.
When the two girls arrived at their interview venue, we explained every little detail to them.
We provided information on how to get there, the precautions they should take while commuting on the Delhi Metro.
We suggested that if they experienced any delays, they should hire a taxi instead of taking the metro.
We said this because all the gates of our society, except one, are closed by 9.30 pm.
How Safe is Delhi for Girls at Night? (The Reality May Shock You)
We also said this because recent records show that Delhi has the highest crime rate against women in the country. The Sikanderpur metro station in Gurugram, where they were to catch the returning metro, is notorious. We were very concerned.
Since she is my husband’s niece, he was naturally more emotionally invested in her interview and journey.
Both girls left at 7:30 AM, and unfortunately, neither of them called or sent me a message until 6:30 PM.
And suddenly, my phone rang. It was my sister-in-law calling, who asked about her daughter.
You can ask me why I did not call. But let me tell you that I never do this, nor have I ever called my husband or my daughter.
Sitting at home, I can be unaware of their situation.
By this time, my patience had run out. It had been eleven hours, and neither of them had called me, their mother, or their uncle. All three of us were assuming they must have told someone. When we started calling, they told us the interview was about to conclude.
It was quite late, so I asked her to take a taxi and share his location. But it turned out the taxi fare was high because it was around 9:30 pm. So she opted for the metro, but didn’t share her location.
It was 10:30 at night, and we were very worried about them. Even though they had texted us saying they were coming by metro. By the time they got to the nearest metro station, the one near my house had closed. They called my husband in a panic. And we were equally anxious.
When both girls came in front of my husband, he breathed a sigh of relief. He called his sister to inform her that they had returned home.
Why is the concern about girls’ safety genuine?
The concern for girls’ safety is valid. It is grounded in real experiences, social realities, and emotional consequences that impact millions of girls and women daily.
This is not just a fear created by society or the media.
It stems from incidents of harassment, violence, discrimination, and insecurity experienced in homes, schools, workplaces, public places, and even online.
Many girls and their parents are cautious from a young age. They are wary of coming home late, talking to strangers, using public transportation, and sharing personal information online.
Violence against women – World Health Organization (WHO)
The current situation around us raises serious questions. Concern for the safety of our sisters and daughters is for real. And this is happening not just in one city but across the world.
Women and children are constantly falling prey to those with ill intentions.
So many laws, awareness campaigns, efforts, and concerns about the safety of women and children is still a serious challenge.
The Things We Realise a Little Later in Life
Back to my story of my niece, I would like to say a few words for their betterment.
- If you want to study or do something in life, then first of all, win the trust of your parents. They are your biggest supporters; they are the ones who can fight the whole world for you.
- If you want to pursue a career, never ignore the advice of your guardians. Try to find the potential for your well-being in it.
- Discipline is not just a word; it is a promise of responsibility, which you fulfil for your own well-being. This feeling comes from within, not because someone tells you to do so.
- You feel bad about being interrupted by your elders; their repeated questions seem like an intrusion. But stop for a moment. Share your plans with them, and you will realise that these elders are the biggest supporters on your path.
- The path of life is not easy. You will face many obstacles and setbacks as you move ahead. Having someone to support you through thick and thin is a blessing. Sharing your troubles is essential for mental strength. So it is crucial to build good relationships with your elders.
Conclusion
Family is often hidden in the smallest moments. Repeated phone calls, waiting near the gate at night, and asking to share their location are vital for your safety. The silent anxiety of people who care for us is never bad. We often mistake these actions for interference, but behind them lies a language that rarely asks for appreciation: love.
As we grow older and chase our dreams, we should remember that success is not only about reaching destinations. It is also about protecting the relationships that quietly walk beside us throughout the journey.
FAQ
1. Why is girls’ safety considered a serious concern today?
Girls’ safety is considered a serious concern. Real-life incidents of harassment, violence, and insecurity in both physical and digital spaces are making the situation very grim. These experiences make safety awareness necessary for protection and prevention.
2. Is the concern about girls’ safety only fear-based?
No, it is not just fear. The concern is based on real experiences, social conditions, and documented incidents that affect women and girls in everyday life. It is a practical and emotional response to reality.
3. What are the main safety issues faced by girls today?
Harassment in public spaces, workplace inequality, cyberbullying, online exploitation, domestic violence, and a lack of safe transportation in some areas.
4. How can society improve safety for girls?
By promoting respect, enforcing strict laws, increasing awareness, educating boys and girls about consent. These steps will create safer public and digital environments.
5. Does focusing on girls’ safety limit their freedom?
It should not. The goal is not restriction but empowerment. Creating a safe environment where girls can move freely without fear, while also being aware and confident, is a must.
6. Why do families worry so much about girls’ safety?
Families often worry because they want to protect their daughters from real-world risks and emotional harm. Their concern comes from care, experience, and awareness of societal realities.
Family, Emotions, and the Little Things That Matter
My Family Experience and an Unexpected Lesson
Introduction
I rarely include family members in my articles apart from my daughter and husband. But my experience on the eve of International Family Day compelled me to write about a lesson that quietly unfolded within my own family.
Family is not only a relationship by blood or marriage; it is a network of silent responsibilities, care, and emotions that often remain unspoken.
The Beginning of a New Chapter
My niece from my husband’s family had recently completed her LLM and was pursuing her PhD while searching for job opportunities.
Education was not always an easy journey for her. It required courage, determination, and the support of people who believed in her dreams.
The Desire to Stand on One’s Own Feet
Many young people today spend years studying and working hard, yet still struggle with uncertainty in employment and financial independence.
Behind every degree often lies a quiet desire — the wish to stand on one’s own feet and reduce dependence on others.
Never Take Your Privileges for Granted
As the girls left for their interview, we explained every detail — routes, safety precautions, transportation options, and emergency suggestions.
Hours passed without any update. Slowly concern turned into anxiety.
Why Is the Concern About Girls’ Safety Genuine?
The concern surrounding girls’ safety comes from real experiences and realities that many women continue to face.
Parents often carry silent worries because the world outside does not always feel predictable.
The Things We Realise a Little Later in Life
Discipline is more than following rules; it becomes a responsibility we carry for ourselves and for those who care about us.
Many interruptions from parents and elders are not restrictions — they are often expressions of concern wrapped in questions.
Conclusion
Family is often hidden in the smallest moments — in repeated phone calls, in waiting near the gate at night, in reminding someone to share their location, and in the silent anxiety of people who care for us.
Success is not only about reaching destinations; it is also about protecting the relationships that quietly walk beside us throughout the journey.
Genuine articles for genuine readers.
