7.2. Responsibility of the Children

                                                         7.2.  Responsibility of the Children 

 

Question:

 What can a son do in return to his parents who paid a lot of attention to his upbringing?

 

Answer:

It is the son’s responsibility to conduct himself so that others would admire how hard this man’s father should have worked to groom him like this.                                 (Couplet 70)

மகன்தந்தைக்கு ஆற்றும் உதவி இவன்தந்தை

என்நோற்றான் கொல் எனும் சொல்.                                                         (குறள் -70)

Explanation:

We should remember that Valluvar lived about 2,000 years ago. In those days, although male and female children received an education, only the male children took up jobs and had the opportunity to excel in their careers. As per the conditions of those days, Valluvar's advice focuses on the son being an outstanding individual. These days, it is not uncommon for parents to pay attention to their children’s education and accomplishments, irrespective of their sex. Therefore, children’s responsibility is to become outstanding individuals in their life so that others will wonder how hard their parents should have worked to bring up their children to be so successful. If we replace the word ‘son’ with ‘child’, valluvar’s advice is valid even today.