Parents, perhaps the greatest inherent mystery! And now I am probably making the worst comparison that just like our name, we don't chose them (and vice versa, yah that’s right). And ideally we should stay together, till death parts us! Though quite emotionally swayed, I have to admit that throughout the lifespan on my three-decades I failed to comprehend my destined-mystery, my parents! Just like Beiber’s girlfriend, sometimes they nod their head yes but wanna say no! So to make our jalebi-lives a little juicier, last night I stayed up and drafted these eight rom-com Pakistani parents types.
P.S. Based on three-decades of intensive research!
Since its personal, had no help, so is not foolproof….ssshhh…secret!
Perhaps they are the perfect idealistic happy-go-lucky type of parents. They always abstain from nagging into their kid’s matters. If the child is studious and wants to be a doctor, no problem! If he/she is more inclined towards singing or sculpturing, still no problem! Their kids always find green-signal for all ‘morally’ right decisions. Because, all is well that ends well!
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| always got your (for right) back... |
2. Professional:
They are the ones who teach do-or-die lessons to their kids. To them, there are only two ‘noble’ professions—medicine and engineering. Thus, their children are born with predestined very simple and apt options: be a doctor or an engineer (the combo could also work). For them, only science-matters, all other professions…hmmm…don’t even bother thinking!
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| lesser the options, happier the life... |
3. Futuristic:
My heart goes hmmmm…hmmmm for them, as they are super concerned for their child’s future. They invest, guide, and make all humanely possible efforts to turn a whining baby into a prosperous candidate. Why? Because this child is actually their future support…borhapay ka sahara! The better the kid will do, the better will be their living standards in those ‘olden-golden’ days.
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| money matters... |
4. Experiential:
They hate traditional school-college-university pattern. For them, these education-businesses only want to draw a huge chunk of their hard-earned money in a most legitimate way—hafty fee challahs. Their vision: one can learn nothing practical from these books…the secret to success is experience, as you have to dig your hands in dirt to build a mud-house! So, just do it, why study!
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| see and do... |
5. Supportive:
They are like hard-core Korean parents, who make their child experiment million different things, while having their ears and eyes open for 24/7. Once they find their child’s inclination, then there is no return back. As these ‘supportive’ parents just leverage their all resources and efforts to make their child excel in that particular trait/s, and eventually gain fame. Mission accomplished!
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| you tell, I'll unlock... |
6. Competitive:
Oh, personally feeling this type of parents fall under the hard-to-please category. Ironically they don't have any ‘planned’ aspirations and sadly just blindfold their kid’s ambitions. So what do they want? Actually they even don’t waste their energy on this ‘thinking’ part, as their plans are based on the strategy of Comparative Analysis. In simple words, if Chacha’s son is settled in US, then their’s SHOULD land in UK or Australia. If Khala’s daughter is studying medicine, then their’s should at least be studying engineering. Bottomline, they strive to maintain equality!
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| only a Mom can say it... |
7. Preachers:
If possible for them, these parents will be among the first ones to own a Time-Machine, as they are Chronic Regretter, (if there is something like that)! Though they are super concerned about their child’s future; but not in a sense as to guide them for their prospective plans. Instead, they keep on bombarding their past mistakes and just want their kids to “not repeat them”. A glimpse: ‘I loved your Ma, hmmm…now see!’; ‘I quitted my business partnership because of your Dada, now see!’…and these ‘now-see’ phrases never end!
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| expressions while hearing 'see-now' stories... |
8. Cops:
Not sure, if this is the best of types or the worst of types, but still I believe it’s quite unique to our culture; perhaps a very desi-speciality! So they are the ones who even before conceiving, start sharpening their match-making skills. For them, a child’s ultimate future lies in being ‘a husband' or ‘a wife’, period. So, instead of wasting a split-second on discussing traditional professions, they escort their kids to family weddings and Iftar-dinners. The formula is simple: frequent mingling = mind-match = ultimate destination! A wedlock is the secret solution to all their problems. Woh, I can hear those wedding bells!
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| just get them locked, I mean wedlock... |
Please don't consider these types as strict hard-and-fast rule, as their combinations also exist. Look close, might be there’s one in your home, who know! LOL :)
Having said that, one fact remains universal, we all love, cherish, and treasure our parents. It’s simple plain truth, so…admit it, say it, even better, show it!
Quick Q: Is there a World Parents Day?
Yes, just googled! UN declared June 1 to be the “Gblal Day of Parents”. (Should have written it around then…hmmm….better late, then never!)
Until next time,
Love to all Parents
