Family time

The ties that hold us together are straining, probably about to snap. A study conducted in London showed that only two in 100 parents helped their children with homework. Also, twice as many families identified themselves as 'TV and digital families' rather than 'caring families'. This trend is gradually becoming global, with many families now spending lesser time at home. How would you label your family - caring or digital? When was the last time you spent a fun evening with your family? Is our family becoming the first casualty of a high-speed lifestyle?

Families spend more time watching TV and on the computer than with each other.

Parents rarely meet their children as all eyes are now glued to colourful screens. The values which parents should instil in their children are tolerance, empathy and kindness, but the screen offers horrific scenes of murder, adultery and violence. Advertisements take them to a utopian world, where they lack any natural ability. The media has to be kept away from family moments.
Tony Chittilappilly
Dubai

Families are incredulously occupied with hi-tech advancements more than each other. The television and computer have taken away the pleasures of evening chats. The media has swayed us away from the opportunity to sit together with each other. The computer has emerged as a need in man's life. These materialistic advancements have definitely put family get-togethers at stake.
Shumaila Ehtasham
Sharjah

This is a statement of fact and is fast spreading from bigger metros to semi-urban cities and even remote areas. One of the factors contributing to this is the social shift from extended families to smaller, nuclear families, not allowing people to interact with everyone regularly. Family gatherings and quality time with elders or children on weekends have sadly been replaced with television programmes.
Ghanshyam Vasudeo Vyas
Dubai

Interaction between family members has drastically reduced, leading to many family issues. Whether it be child delinquency, teenage blues, excessive spending by children or obesity, problems in the family are due to lack of communication. Sharing your thoughts, discussing issues, analysing problems in the presence of every member is essential to run a family smoothly.
Bose A. Panicker
Dubai

Looking after each other is no longer a priority in a family.

Children prefer watching television or working on the computer because of a lack of outdoor activities. They are dependent on their parents to accompany them to a nearby park. We have to now 'plan' the time we spend together. Home has become a place where you return to have your food and sleep. The long awaited weekends pass us by even before we realise it. Isn't there a way out?
Vidya Santosh
Abu Dhabi

This is a myth of the contemporary world. Yes, time is, in today's world, the fastest wheel, and it is quite difficult to catch up with it! But, I still think families spend time with each other. Families often go on picnics or long drives. The restaurants and malls are filled with families and friends. Such family gatherings are a result of love and affection towards each other.
Farhana Zaman
Dubai

We are absorbing Western culture at a very fast rate, but when it comes to our family, we can see that family values are still being instilled and one's family retains its position as a top priority. You can see them in malls, gardens, cinemas or on weekends. The single expatriate is here to make money for his or her family. The expatriate families here come to live with their family, whatever the costs may be.
Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai

Spending time with your family doesn't mean you have to do anything special. It shouldn't be seen as "doing time". All it means is that you give them your interest and attention. If you are overwhelmed with chores, ask your children to help. Such activities invite conversation. Be accessible, even when you're busy. If your family says the home is like a hotel, something needs to be rectified.
Romi Sebastian
Doha, Qatar

Fathers spend more time with their friends rather than their children.

Due to life's fast pace, it seems like every individual is in a hurry. Such situations make everyone look selfish. Given tight schedules, it becomes difficult to give attention and time to others. But, in the hour of urgency, every individual tries his or her best to spare some time for their dear ones. Moreover, how much time a person spends with their family depends on the values instilled in him or her.
Ahmad Eftekhar
Sharjah

In a family, it is not fair that a single person is expected to be responsible. Each member must perform their duties. A father is responsible for the finances, a housewife needs to maintain the home as well as she can and children should obey their parents' instructions. For a good understanding between family members, a few hours every day should be spent in the evening or during dinner to talk.
Tarek Jaafar
Dubai

A dedicated father will always spend time with his wife and children, instead of socialising. A group of married men with children, who spend most of their time socialising, would be termed as irresponsible parents. Time spent with children is a far better investment, because you can actually mould them at a tender age, which is only possible when you are there when they need you the most.
Manoj Panicker
Dubai

Compared to our parents' generation, we are more involved in our children's activities. Fathers in that generation felt it was below their dignity to mingle freely with their families, and were always aloof. Fathers nowadays are involved in every aspect of their children's lives, and take a keen interest in their upbringing.
Jyothi Laxmy
Dubai

Work and household chores prevent mothers from spending time with their families.

When mum and dad reach home tired, they would be quite happy to see that their ward is occupied, courtesy the idiot box or the network-cabled computer. Both these utilities have become a basic requirement, more like a family member. It is a pity parents have no time to even look into such habits or recycle the useless information their children receive. Where is the world heading to at this rate?
Dorothy Naveena
Dubai

I don't want to agree with this, but this is what is exactly happening with me and my family. The children have no other source of entertainment except television and my three-year-old child loves to play online games. This is distressing, as it leads to limited social interaction and physical activity. The extra time spent in traffic takes a toll on your physical and mental health. We feel drained after a working day.
Gurpreet Modi
Dubai

Extended families have given way to nuclear ones, which are definitely more involved in each others' affairs. However, we cannot deny the fact that quality time spent with each other is decreasing. For parents, work has become an inevitable priority. Also, children prefer to play computer games, instead of talking to siblings. We are probably the luckier generation to have had concerned and loving parents.
Jisy Mathew
Dubai

Something may be wrong within our thought process, which keeps us away from each other. We complain that we don't have time, however it is just a perception that people tend to have, especially men who argue that they have to do something extra to bring more happiness by working more than what is required. I understand their love towards their family. I am just worried that the time lost will never come back.
Smita Sinoy
Dubai