Tag: relationships

How Strong Family Bonding and Care Shape a Better Society and Drive Long-Term Growth

by Shreyas Trivedi

In my work across sustainability, social development, and community engagement—and through my journey as an author—I have repeatedly observed one simple but powerful truth: strong societies are built on strong families. Yet in our pursuit of economic growth, professional success, and technological progress, family bonding and caregiving are often treated as secondary or “soft” concerns. In reality, they form the hardest and most essential foundation of social stability, emotional health, and long-term societal growth.

Before an individual becomes a professional, a leader, or an active citizen, they first become a family member. Families are the first institutions where we learn trust, communication, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and care for others. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies on human happiness, clearly shows that strong relationships—particularly within families—are the most consistent predictor of long-term well-being and life satisfaction, even more than income, status, or professional success. This insight reminds us that emotional foundations laid at home quietly shape how people engage with the world.

Emotional security within families directly translates into resilience in society. The World Health Organization reports that nearly one in eight people globally live with a mental health condition, and India is witnessing a sharp rise in stress, anxiety, and loneliness, especially among youth and the elderly. Research consistently indicates that individuals who grow up with emotional safety, active listening, and dependable support are better equipped to handle failure, make balanced decisions, and form healthy relationships. Emotionally secure homes, therefore, do not just raise happier individuals; they create emotionally intelligent societies.

Caregiving within families—whether for children, elders, or vulnerable members—is one of the most undervalued contributors to social growth. UNICEF highlights that children raised in caregiving environments develop higher empathy, better social behaviour, and stronger moral reasoning. In the Indian context, families that actively care for elders often pass on values of patience, respect, and responsibility through daily lived experience rather than formal teaching. Through my own observations and interactions on the ground, I have seen how caregiving families nurture individuals who later emerge as ethical leaders, compassionate professionals, and responsible citizens.

Strong family bonding also plays a critical role in maintaining social stability. Sociological studies across countries show that communities with cohesive family structures experience lower crime rates, reduced violence, and higher levels of trust and cooperation. The OECD has further noted that robust social support systems, beginning with families, significantly reduce long-term public expenditure on healthcare, rehabilitation, and welfare. This clearly positions family bonding not only as a moral or cultural value, but as a strategic social investment.

The link between family stability and economic growth is equally important, though often overlooked. Studies indicate that individuals with strong family support systems demonstrate higher workplace engagement, lower burnout, and better decision-making abilities. Stable family environments reduce healthcare costs, workplace absenteeism, and long-term dependency on social systems. Far from slowing progress, strong families enable sustainable economic growth by producing emotionally balanced and resilient contributors to the workforce.

India today stands at a critical social transition point. The decline of joint families, increasing urban migration, weakening intergenerational bonds, rising elder loneliness, and growing parenting stress are becoming visible across urban and semi-urban landscapes. While modernization and mobility are essential for progress, the erosion of family bonding comes with hidden costs that surface later as mental health challenges, social alienation, and fragmented communities. The challenge before us is not to choose between tradition and progress, but to consciously integrate care, connection, and bonding into modern lifestyles.

Sociologists describe this invisible glue that holds societies together as social capital—trust, shared values, and cooperation. Families are the first creators of this social capital. When families function well, communities become more resilient, institutions become more humane, and growth becomes inclusive and sustainable. When families weaken, society pays the price emotionally, socially, and economically.

As someone deeply engaged in sustainability and social impact work, I believe it is time to rethink what we truly mean by growth and development. Progress should not be measured only in GDP figures or infrastructure milestones, but also in mental well-being, quality of relationships, empathy in leadership, and care for the vulnerable. If we want a better future, we must invest as intentionally in strengthening families and caregiving cultures as we do in technology, policy, and economic systems.

Through my writing and social work, I have learned that values taught quietly at home often shape the world far more powerfully than lessons taught loudly outside. Strong families do not merely raise successful individuals; they raise good human beings. And societies led by good human beings do not just grow—they flourish.

Let’s Celebrate Our Loved Ones While They’re Still With Us.

by Shreyas Trivedi

In every family, workplace, and group of friends, there’s always someone who silently carries the weight of others—offering help, support, and strength without expecting much in return. These are the people we often take for granted while they are alive. We remember how many times we asked them for help, but we rarely ask them how they are doing. We don’t inquire about their struggles, their dreams, or their pain. They keep everything bottled up, not because they don’t want to share, but because no one ever asks. We see their strength and assume they don’t need support. But strength doesn’t mean they’re not hurting. Silence doesn’t always mean peace. And smiles don’t always reflect happiness.

Then one day, they are gone. And suddenly, we find words we never shared with them. At their funeral, we hear people say things like, “He was such a kind soul,” or “She never said no to anyone.” We speak of their sacrifices, their goodness, their ability to always show up. But the truth is, these words come too late. The person who most deserved to hear them is no longer there to listen. Why do we do this? Why do we express love, gratitude, and admiration only after someone dies?

Just a few months ago, I lost one of my uncles. A few days ago, it was his birthday. In our family WhatsApp group, everyone was sending messages—“Happy birthday, we miss you,” “Gone too soon,” “You’ll always be in our hearts.” And I sat there quietly, remembering how we never wished him on his birthday when he was alive. I never called him just to say “Happy birthday” or “How are you?” I was always busy. There was always something more ‘urgent’ than a two-minute call. And now, that regret has carved a permanent space in my heart. That feeling—that I could have done something so small, so simple, yet so meaningful—will stay with me forever.

The world we live in moves fast. We’re busy chasing deadlines, goals, and daily tasks. And in the middle of it all, we forget to see people as they are—not just for what they do for us, but for who they are. We assume the strong don’t need support. We believe that silence means someone is fine. And we wait for special occasions—weddings, birthdays, funerals—to express emotions that should be shared every now and then.

As someone who believes deeply in family values, I feel this is where we need to pause and reflect. The real essence of family lies in presence—not just being physically around, but being emotionally available. Take a moment to ask your parents how their day was, not just how your day went. Sit with your grandparents, even if they don’t talk much. Ask your sibling if they’re truly okay—not just if work is going well. Thank that cousin or friend who always shows up, without expecting recognition.

Let’s change this culture of delayed appreciation. Let’s not wait to post emotional tributes after someone is gone. Let’s write those messages today. Let’s say, “I love you,” “I respect you,” or “You inspire me,” while they’re still here to hear it. Let’s give people the joy of being seen, valued, and understood—while they are still alive.

Kindness isn’t just about helping others. It’s about noticing them. It’s about making people feel they matter—not just for what they do, but for who they are. If you’re reading this today, maybe it’s time to make that phone call—not to ask for a favor, but just to say, “I see you. I appreciate you. Tell me your story.”

The Hard Truth About Family: When Standing Together Isn’t the Same as Being There

by Shreyas Trivedi

We grew up in India believing that family is everything. That no matter how tough life gets, family will be your safety net — always ready to catch you before you fall. That when the world questions you, your family will defend you. That in every major celebration or crisis, they will stand by your side — unshaken, unwavering.

And in many ways, they do.

Weddings, festivals, housewarmings, birthdays — you’ll never find yourself alone during these events. Relatives you haven’t seen in years will show up. Uncles will crack the same old jokes. Aunties will sit in circles and exchange stories. Cousins will rehearse a dance together. In-laws will smile and bless you like you’re one of their own. It all feels beautifully overwhelming — like one large emotional ecosystem moving in harmony.

But what happens when the music stops?

What happens when you don’t follow the expected script — when you choose something unconventional? When did you leave your corporate job to start your own business? When do you decide to pause everything and take care of your mental health? When you fail, fall, or simply take a path they don’t understand?

That’s when silence sets in.

Not always out of cruelty. Sometimes out of discomfort. Often out of fear. But mostly because we’ve mistaken being present at functions for being present in life.

Your uncles, who were front row at your engagement, now avoid asking how your startup is going. Your cousins who made Instagram reels with you at the wedding don’t check in when you disappear for a week. Your in-laws, who call you ‘beta,’ don’t ask why your eyes look tired in every family Zoom call. And even your parents — loving as they are — sometimes can’t understand why you’re not “normal” anymore.

Support becomes seasonal. Conditional. Social, not emotional.

We’re surrounded by people, yet feel utterly alone.

Because we’ve created a culture where the performance of the family is prioritized over the practice of care. Where being there means attending a ceremony, but not sitting down for a real, raw conversation. Where we confuse the number of people at a function with the number of people who actually ask, “How are you really doing?”

And in that gap — between what is shown and what is truly felt — lies a deep loneliness. A kind of ache that doesn’t come from lack of love, but from lack of emotional availability.

We don’t talk about it enough, but we must. Because this is how mental health quietly deteriorates. This is how people, even in the middle of large families, slip into depression. This is how suicides happen — not because people are weak, but because they feel unseen in a room full of people who claim to care.

Family is not just your parents or your siblings. It’s your entire ecosystem — your uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws — people who play major roles in shaping your emotional world. Their silence matters. Their absence during tough times stings. Their inability to ask the right questions can sometimes push someone to the edge.

And support isn’t only about checking in when things go wrong — it’s also about cheering when someone tries something new.

When a cousin starts an Instagram page or YouTube channel, don’t just scroll past — like it, share it, leave a kind comment.
When your niece launches a small business, don’t just wait to see if it succeeds — talk about it in your groups, connect her with someone, and show genuine interest.
When your brother posts about a job requirement on LinkedIn, write two thoughtful lines of appreciation, share it in your network, and ask him about it next time you call.

These small gestures take seconds, but they tell a person, “I see you. I believe in you.”

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say to someone is, “I’m proud of you.”

Say it over a call. Send it in a message. Let them hear it from you, not just strangers on the internet.

To the ones who are building something from scratch — the entrepreneurs, the creators, the silent warriors of new beginnings — you are not alone in feeling this way. And it’s okay to expect more from your family.

And to those who are part of this vast family web, if you truly love someone, don’t wait for an occasion.
Be the first to clap when they try, not just when they win.
Be the one who notices their courage, not just their achievements.

Let’s redefine what support means. Let’s stop mistaking being around for being present. Let’s stop saying “We’re always there for you” and start proving it.

Let’s make family mean something more — something real.