Fathers & Sons

Posted on 02. Aug, 2009 by Musaed in life, Short Articles

I was at the barbershop the other day, nothing fancy, just the “7alaq alJami3iya”. Two Pakistani brothers (who don’t talk to each other for a long while as far as I know) run the shop. Nevertheless that’s not why im writing this…

As I was inclined in that big execution chair, I saw this picture hanging on the wall, a head shot of a man, with very tough expression, I can tell from this expression that a smile never landed on this face for a long time, most likely the face muscles forgot the expression. I can tell the man looks a lot older then what he is, a product of a hard life I presume.

This man was obviously there father, they are proud of there father’s memories. But other then pure father to son love and respect, what is the real relation?

You see, sons these days are faced with a difficult dilemma, between the morals and ethics of the past and the needs of the presents. Most sons idealize their fathers, for being tough, faithful, uncompromising… and other macho qualities. Sons admire their fathers and want to be like them, but the truth is… they cant.

Not because they are not raised right, but because these morals are no longer “effective” in our current society. For example, in this age young men need to know the art of compromising, you have to look around you and compromise. In the past father disallow their daughters from traveling alone, study abroad, drive a jeep or a sport car! In the past father look down at a man wearing shorts! Or a long(er) hair style

These things are acceptable by us now, but not by the past generation which we admire.

Us, the next generation, the new fathers, need to get the essence of the idea, to be protective, to provide, to be their. The how and when is up to us! Think of it this way, the rules have changed, but it still a ball game