KARACHI:
Leo Tolstoy, a Russian author, wrote in his acclaimed novel Anna Karenna, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy on its own.” Basically, for a family to be happy several key factors are mandatory — good health, mutual affection, and financial security. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has had a drastic effect on almost every aspect of human life, its impact on family life has been truly unprecedented.
The institution of family has gone through a type of metamorphosis during the pandemic. People have had more time to spend at home during fluctuating periods of lockdowns. This seemingly insignificant change in our lifestyle provided us with a unique opportunity to live together as a family for a considerable amount of time. Unfortunately, it was witnessed that family members could not maintain cordial relations with each other. There was a considerable surge in domestic violence cases across the country. One can, thus, assert that the pandemic has become a direct cause of the deterioration of relations with family and friends.
Moreover, financial constraints further added to the already volatile situation. The closure of businesses and disruption of essential commodities were witnessed all around the globe. The worst victim of this phenomenon was the lower-class, particularly labourers and daily wagers. All in all, it was the first time in human history that all unhappy poor families around the world were on the same boat, confronting the same crisis.
A K Meo
Kasur
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2021.
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