| Not “Rented Children,” but a Renaissance of Belonging | | | Lalit Gargg
When the evening of life descends into its full expanse, what a person needs most is not medicine or wealth, but the presence and warmth of loved ones. This is the phase when one longs to share a lifetime of memories, experiences, and emotions. Yet, the harsh reality today is that many elderly people have become strangers in their own homes. Echoing silences in large houses, deserted courtyards, and eyes fixed on the door in endless—together compose a tragedy that is not merely personal but indicative of a deeper social disintegration. Globalization, the compulsions of livelihood, and the pursuit of a better future have scattered the younger generation across countries and continents. This is understandable. However, the greatest price being paid in this process is the erosion of familial sensitivity. Many children settle abroad and become so absorbed in their lives that their parents are reduced to occasional phone calls and formal messages. Some even live in the same city but fail to visit their parents for years. This is not just a problem of physical distance, but a crisis of emotional disconnect.
Amid this atmosphere of insensitivity, a disturbing new trend has emerged—“rented children.” Some companies and institutions now provide young people who spend time with the elderly, talk to them, accompany them on walks, and attempt to ease their loneliness. At first glance, this arrangement may seem comforting. But on deeper reflection, it reveals a profound failure of our social structure. It raises troubling questions: Will affection and belonging now be packaged into contracts? Will the warmth of relationships be available for a fee? This phenomenon is not just ironic—it is a serious social warning of how far we have drifted from our core values. The concept of “rented children” stands as a glaring contradiction and tragedy of modern social organization. It is also true that not all families are the same. Sometimes, children face genuine constraints that prevent them from living with their parents. Likewise, some elderly individuals may struggle to adjust with the younger generation due to differences in temperament or outlook. However, beyond these exceptions, the broader trend reflects an increasingly self-centered lifestyle and a decline in emotional depth.
Even more concerning is the fact that such services are accessible only to those elderly individuals who have sufficient financial resources. Middle-class and lower-income seniors, whose sources of income have diminished, cannot afford such arrangements. The situation is particularly difficult for retirees from the private sector, where pensions are minimal and medical expenses continue to rise. Their lives often oscillate between financial insecurity and emotional distress. Undeniably, society today is moving rapidly toward consumerism and materialism, where the warmth of relationships and emotional depth are steadily fading. Life’s priorities have shifted away from human values toward consumption, competition, and economic success. As a result, relationships are increasingly measured by utility and self-interest. The family, once a center of affection, support, and values, now appears fragmented under the pressures of ambition and busyness.
In this changing environment, the elderly are the most neglected. They neither participate in the race of the market nor fulfill the material expectations of the younger generation. Their experience, sacrifice, and affection are often seen as burdens rather than assets. The breakdown of joint families and the rise of nuclear families have further weakened their social and emotional security. The digital world has made communication more superficial, replacing intimacy with formality. Consequently, loneliness, insecurity, and neglect among the elderly are increasing—clear indicators of a moral decline in society. In developed countries, strong systems of social security exist for the elderly. Governments take responsibility for healthcare, pensions, and caregiving. In contrast, in India—where the family was once considered the greatest source of security—that very structure is weakening. Governments collect taxes, yet adequate welfare systems for the elderly remain insufficient.
In such circumstances, solutions cannot remain limited to emotional appeals. A multidimensional and constructive approach is essential. First and foremost, there must be a serious effort to revive family values. From early childhood, children must be nurtured with a sense of duty, respect, and sensitivity toward their parents. Education should not merely be a means of employment, but a carrier of life values—this is the need of the hour. A second important step is the integration of old-age homes and orphanages. This is not just an imaginative idea, but a deeply practical and humane solution. If elderly individuals and orphaned children are housed within the same environment, both can benefit. Children would receive affection and guidance, while the elderly would experience companionship and a renewed sense of belonging. This bond would not be artificial, but natural and heartfelt. Governments must take policy initiatives in this direction.
At the same time, there is a need to establish well-equipped, dignified, and humane old-age homes—not merely as care facilities, but as centers of social and cultural engagement. Private institutions should also be encouraged, but with safeguards to ensure that service remains rooted in compassion rather than becoming purely commercial. The elderly themselves must also accept that this stage of life demands self-reliance and inner strength. Practices such as yoga, meditation, pranayama, spiritual gatherings, and social participation can bring positivity to their lives. Digital literacy can also help them stay connected with their children and society.
In essence, a society is not defined solely by economic progress, but by the richness of its compassion. If we fail to provide our elderly with respect, affection, and security, all our achievements remain incomplete. The concept of “rented children” compels us to reflect—are we turning relationships into commodities, weighing them on the scales of materialism? This is a moment for introspection—for looking within and deciding what kind of society we wish to build. If we truly envision a healthy, sensitive, and balanced society, we must rekindle the lamp of belonging, so that every elderly person can live the twilight of life with dignity, warmth, and peace. |
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