Generation Gap
33
Dadashri : That is because you do not know how to be a
mother, otherwise why would they not listen? They refuse to listen
because you yourself did not listen to your own parents.
Questioner : Is it also the effect of the cultural environment?
Dadashri : No, it is not the environment’s fault whatsoever.
It is because the parents do not know how to be parents. Being a
parent is a greater responsibility than even that of a Prime Minister.
Questioner : How can that be?
Dadashri : If a Prime Minister does something wrong, he
would hurt the country, but as a parent, if you were to do something
wrong, it would hurt your own child. The children should be glad
to see their parents as soon as they come home, but nowadays
the children feel that it would be better if the father did not come
home at all. What is one to do?
(P.172)
This is why I tell parents that after their child turns sixteen,
they must interact with him as a friend would. They must speak to
him in a friendly manner so that their words will be more appealing.
The child will not heed his father if the father constantly asserts his
role as a father. What would happen if he continues to do this
even when the child turns forty?
(P.176)
Questioner : But Dada the elderly are so set in their ways,
so how can we handle them?
Dadashri : If you are in a hurry to get somewhere and
there is a puncture in the car’s tire, are you going to keep kicking
it?
Questioner : No.
Dadashri : You simply have to tackle the problem quickly.
The car can get a puncture at any time and so can old people.