"No unconditional love in South Asian families"
Posted: 20 Sep 2015
An interesting quote from an article on familial abuse in South Asian families in the UK.
"South Asian" appears to be a euphemism for Pakistani or Bangladeshi, as they mention Imams.
I wonder how this would apply to the basic framework the Brahma Kumaris came out of? I know it's bad to generalise but is it the same in Hindu families? And does the value translate into BKism?
To be honest, it sounds more like an "orthodox" or just plain backwards value common throughout many more traditional religious communities, e.g. orthodox Jews as well.
The issue of keep face or honour being more important to them than their own child/follower’s happiness ring true, so too does the concept of "honouring the family and the community at the cost of the individual". Hence the "respect" ... I'd call it indulgence ... show to elder BKs and "not defaming Baba" nor bringing shame upon the BK family.
But what about unconditional love in pure BKism?
Baba has the most love for the most surrendered BKs.
Is the idea of an unconditionally loving God and unconditional love between parent and children, or even strangers, a Western one?
I don't know so I am asking, however, I have heard of other cultures in Asia being described as "transaction ones", that is to say, that society is not bound together with ideas of altruism and charity, but on clearly valued exchanges.
"South Asian" appears to be a euphemism for Pakistani or Bangladeshi, as they mention Imams.
I wonder how this would apply to the basic framework the Brahma Kumaris came out of? I know it's bad to generalise but is it the same in Hindu families? And does the value translate into BKism?
One woman who spoke to the researchers had been a victim of abuse as a child. She said: “There is no unconditional love in South Asian families. Honour is more important to them than their own child’s happiness. It’s down to the woman to keep her own dignity. The concept of honour is about honouring the family and the community at the cost of the individual.”
To be honest, it sounds more like an "orthodox" or just plain backwards value common throughout many more traditional religious communities, e.g. orthodox Jews as well.
The issue of keep face or honour being more important to them than their own child/follower’s happiness ring true, so too does the concept of "honouring the family and the community at the cost of the individual". Hence the "respect" ... I'd call it indulgence ... show to elder BKs and "not defaming Baba" nor bringing shame upon the BK family.
But what about unconditional love in pure BKism?
- Does the lack of it explain the unfeeling detachment towards children they encourage?
Or indeed, the lack of procreation for children?
Should we question what Lekhraj Kirpalani's childhood was like and how he prioritised his own god status with the cult, over his own family and normality'?
Baba has the most love for the most surrendered BKs.
Is the idea of an unconditionally loving God and unconditional love between parent and children, or even strangers, a Western one?
I don't know so I am asking, however, I have heard of other cultures in Asia being described as "transaction ones", that is to say, that society is not bound together with ideas of altruism and charity, but on clearly valued exchanges.