Are we better than our parents?

[MenInG]

I understand that culturally speaking we cannot really ask this question but logically speaking, do you feel that in terms of our views on the world, in the manner we treat our fellow humans etc, we have improved on our parents generation?

 

[DRsohail]

dont think so..

 

[KingKhanWC]

In some ways yes but overall no.

The world has become far more materialistic and selfish. Ie my dads main goal was to take his family out of poverty and generally be a good member of society/community. Although he dressed well, kept himself in good condition overall, he never really was too bothered about what possessions he had and how people saw him.

Now many of us find out own ambitions are the most important.

 

[Syed1]

My dad is the most hardworking guy I know. He would put extra hours at his work and then come back home and work on his projects in the evenings (so that he could build his business which he did eventually Alhumdulilah). I on the other hand do my 8 hours and come home and either sit infront of the tv or go to gym and then sit infront of tv.

 

[Hamza_]

Yes in some areas.

 

[King-Misbah]

May be knowledge wise as most of us were able to go to established colleges/ unis but the work ethic of the elder folks is unparalled.

 

[humzy]

I would say yes in the case of intelligence and analytical skills.

In terms of morality I would have to think twice.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Nope, not yet

 

[saadibaba]

I am much better than my Dad in terms of tolerance for different ethnicities and race, less dogmatic and more open minded about religion and less envious and jealous of people who life has treated better than me. But its this bitterness and jealousy that made him work hard and drove him forward. But if you are hollow from inside and your ego is bigger than anything else, ultimately no matter how successful you get, it comes back to haunt you. When he lost his job and status, his ugly side which was somewhat hidden by of the veneer of success, came out. He became vindictive, bitter and malicious. He end up hurting everyone around him. He is an example for me of what not to become and despite my best efforts to not be my fathers son, I am still at times reminded of the genetic and familial similarities between us.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Our generation is much more culturally tolerant than our forefathers but we do not hold a candle in front of them when it comes to hard work and being focused / committed to a cause (Our generation have severe lack of Patience)

 

[sjahmed23]

Parents probably had a better quality of life than me and my siblings. Now most people are used to living alone without interacting much with their neighbors or even family members. I also feel our generation is working more and getting less.

 

[saadibaba]

The reason for why my father did what he did and was who he was to me boils down to his lack of interest in any form of arts. He never bothered with music, paid no attention to movies, was not into literature or poetry. Only books I discovered in his book shelf were the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" type or other business or self help books. All he cared about was being successful. That drive and single minded focus did propelled him to become much more than what anyone would have expected out of him under his given circumstances but it also left him hollow and empty. Interest and love for art could have avoided such a disaster.

 

[CricketCartoons]

I am much better than my father, and trying to be half as good as my mother.

 

[MenInG]

Our generation is much more culturally tolerant than our forefathers but we do not hold a candle in front of them when it comes to hard work and being focused / committed to a cause (Our generation have severe lack of Patience)

very much so!

 

[PakLFC]

Yes. Most being western born and more open minded.

 

[Major]

The reason for why my father did what he did and was who he was to me boils down to his lack of interest in any form of arts. He never bothered with music, paid no attention to movies, was not into literature or poetry. Only books I discovered in his book shelf were the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" type or other business or self help books. All he cared about was being successful. That drive and single minded focus did propelled him to become much more than what anyone would have expected out of him under his given circumstances but it also left him hollow and empty. Interest and love for art could have avoided such a disaster.

When people dpnt have interests, is it because they are depressed?

And why do you think your dad would had been a better person if he had interests in pther aspects of life.


My dad had interests in education and literature and all. He had done double masters and was eyeing for phd.

But my dad wasnt a patient person at home. Outside he was alright. Acted liberal and open minded, but he released his stress on us at home which later on had an affect on me.

Im scared that i might end up like my dad even though im very patient.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The reason for why my father did what he did and was who he was to me boils down to his lack of interest in any form of arts. He never bothered with music, paid no attention to movies, was not into literature or poetry. Only books I discovered in his book shelf were the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" type or other business or self help books. All he cared about was being successful. That drive and single minded focus did propelled him to become much more than what anyone would have expected out of him under his given circumstances but it also left him hollow and empty. Interest and love for art could have avoided such a disaster.

I watch movies, tv, listen to music and read but most of this is a waste of time or to pass time. Art and such leisure only have very limited positive influences on a person and it can be argued they do more damage than good.

 

[Chrish]

The reason for why my father did what he did and was who he was to me boils down to his lack of interest in any form of arts. He never bothered with music, paid no attention to movies, was not into literature or poetry. Only books I discovered in his book shelf were the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" type or other business or self help books. All he cared about was being successful. That drive and single minded focus did propelled him to become much more than what anyone would have expected out of him under his given circumstances but it also left him hollow and empty. Interest and love for art could have avoided such a disaster.

I completely get your point. I have several different hobbies but my family on the other hand are "work 12 hours a day 7 days a week then come home to sleep then repeat" kinda people. Needless to say it results in lot of resentment and unwanted clash at a time.

Don't know what to do sometimes. I make money to live; I don't live to make money. My family on the other hand is complete opposite.

 

[Chrish]

As humans we need hobbies in life; need something to look forward to. Be it art, sports, traveling, reading or socializing..

When career becomes sole reason for your existence, your life will eventually feel empty and meaningless at one point.

 

[Suleiman]

No. I think in most of our cases especially those pursuing degrees outside of Pakistan, India, etc, we have very hardworking parents who gave up a lot of blood and sweat to send us to these universities. ofc you have to pull your weight and get scholarships and a job of your own, but I don't think I'd be at the point I am right now otherwise.

My dad and I don't get along on majority of the topics, but I still love him because I know the sacrifices he has made to earn money and put food on the table, and he's my father regardless of whatever we disagree on. He has diabetes and is in his mid 50s and our house was flooded and he went hard at the work ahead of us to pull down the drywalls and clean the studs of the house like I've never seen whereas our neighbours were using volunteers, me and him pretty much double teamed the job. ofc I was helping him with the work, but was concerned about him more than the house because house, car, etc are just materialistic things, but it just showed how much he cared to do it all himself even though we could've asked the volunteers for help.

I hope once I graduate and start earning a decent living I can at least pay him 1/16th of what he did for me and my brothers and sisters, same to my mother, but I know that even in 5 life times I can't do for both of them what they did for me. May Allah give them eternal happiness.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

The work ethic of our parents is amazing. I'm always in awe.

 

[saadibaba]

When people dpnt have interests, is it because they are depressed?

And why do you think your dad would had been a better person if he had interests in pther aspects of life.


My dad had interests in education and literature and all. He had done double masters and was eyeing for phd.

But my dad wasnt a patient person at home. Outside he was alright. Acted liberal and open minded, but he released his stress on us at home which later on had an affect on me.

Im scared that i might end up like my dad even though im very patient.

Depressed people are also not very interested in their jobs or to succeed in life. In my dad's case he was into all of that so I don't think it was depression. It could have been some personality trait.

He could have been more relaxed, less competitive and egotistical. He may not have achieved success in his career like he did but could have been a happier more content person.

It is a fine balance I admit. One cannot be too lax and laid back. I know those types as well. They can's make much of their lives and careers, though hard to say if they feel happier than the competitive types.

My dad did double masters as well. He was a self made man. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have been in a position I am today if he wouldn't have helped me with my education. But the good comes with the bad. All his bigoted, sexist, racist and backward views were around me when I was growing up.

It took several years of intense soul searching and questioning every belief around me to finally drift towards the enlightened path. Yet, the animalistic instincts are hard to eradicate completely and as time passes by when one gets older and his habits become more defined and permanent, I am pretty sure that I will continue to struggle with that.

 

[Black Zero]

The reason for why my father did what he did and was who he was to me boils down to his lack of interest in any form of arts. He never bothered with music, paid no attention to movies, was not into literature or poetry. Only books I discovered in his book shelf were the Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people" type or other business or self help books. All he cared about was being successful. That drive and single minded focus did propelled him to become much more than what anyone would have expected out of him under his given circumstances but it also left him hollow and empty. Interest and love for art could have avoided such a disaster.

Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.
- Oscar

I am much better than my father, and trying to be half as good as my mother.

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.
- Oscar