This month, our family life column deals with the biological or reproductive function of the family. The family is the institution that facilitates procreation, thereby enabling the continuation of the human race. In getting straight to the point, the family is also the institution that legitimises the mating relationship of a couple. The meaning of all of this in plain talk? The sexual relationship between man and woman must take place within the sanctity of marriage. To take it further, the understanding is that when reproduction occurs, new life comes into the arms of mother and father and hopefully a home that provides the basic needs of shelter, belonging, care, etc.
In the Hindu religion this has always been the norm, the religious and social directive. There are four stages of life for a Hindu; the second one, “grihastya” is the stage for procreation and reproduction. There is good reason for this wait, since a couple needs to acquire parental skills. Traditionally, the extended Hindu family taught most of these skills to its members. These skills were a natural part of one’s upbringing and elder members were very effective in implementing their socialisation and education responsibilities. Sadly, today many families fall short on this function, so much so that modern-day youth have to learn these skills from textbooks and tutoring in an area called Health and Family Life Issues.
There are many risks associated with young people undertaking reproduction before the appropriate time and circumstance. There is the physical/health risk of unwanted pregnancies, STDs, AIDS and cervical cancer. Our reproductive system is the group of organs inside and outside our bodies, which is responsible for the creation of new life. So, we need to take care of these organs for healthy reproduction. Then there may be negative social consequences for a young girl becoming pregnant out of wedlock. These include shattered dreams, parental fury, societal condemnation, loss of self-esteem and worst of all, the life of a child born to parents facing these issues.
Again, the role of parents is crucial in teaching their young about the biological function. Since young people today live in a more complicated, challenging society, parents may very well have to update themselves with the necessary ammunition to advise children, as far as their sexual behaviour is concerned. After much trial and error, modern society has discovered the best solution to negative sexual behaviour. The western world calls it abstinence. Hinduism always called it “bramacharya”, the underlying philosophy of this stage being abstinence from sexual activity.
Successful cooks religiously follow the stages of a good recipe. Nature itself unfolds in stages. The sun rises before it sets. Flowers are buds before they bloom. Evaporation must precede condensation before rain falls. So, Hindu parents must enforce the practise of adherence to stages of life when raising their children. Since the biological or reproductive function brings precious, fragile human life into the world, it is imperative that this stage be undertaken as per the teachings of our “dharma”.
By Mrs. Mala Persad
