EVERYONE is having babies.

I was chatting with a friend a few days ago regarding the concept.  We talked about an almost organized movement of people- people wanting to reproduce, that is.

Are they married people?  Doesn’t matter.  But from Kourtney Kardashian getting knocked up to Lil Wayne expecting 2 kids around the same time from two different mommas, things are definitely a bit wacky.

It is almost like having a child with someone is like a commerative token of your relationship.  “We don’t need to exchange vows, let’s just have a baby.”  Which makes me wonder what is worse, a nonchalance about protection resulting in unplanned pregnancy, or a a planned pregnacy just to create a ‘baby-momento’.

Remember as a child, your parents would always nag you about watching too much television.  They would always suggest other options as studying, reading, or going outside and playing sports.  Well, if you’re desi, it was usually just to study.  But, as this point, the tables seem to have turned.  With the rising popularity in satellite television in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, desis were able to subscribe to satellite channels which broadcasted South Asian news, Bollywood movies, and the ever so dramatic Indian serials.  At first, it was nice for our parents to be able to enjoy entertainment from their home country in the comfort of their own home.  However, it almost seems as kids we have to play the role our adults played when we were younger, and tell them to watching so much TV and go out.

            It seems every waking second my parents step foot in the house; they are watching the Indian channels, Zee TV or Sony.  They often record shows on DVR during the day time so they can watch once they get home.  Usually, they watch these serials, or what we know as in America as soap operas.  I have never watched these serials because they seem so ridiculously dramatic.  The plots usually involve drama within the family and there is over the top dramatic background music played, excessive zooming in of the facial expressions, and usually the villain is some woman pale as a ghost because she is wearing pounds of makeup.  It might be entertaining, but it seems way over the top.

            There is nothing wrong with our parents watching these serials once and a while, but it seems they get so attached to watching Indian TV that they don’t have the motivation to go out of the house.  I know I have to force my parents to go out for dinner on the weekends, because I know they would just end up eating at home and watching Indian TV all night.  I often wonder what our parents did when these channels weren’t available.  I was pretty young at that time, but I remember they were definitely more outgoing, and went out to dinner, or even went to the theater to watch a Bollywood movie.  As children, we should look out for our parent’s well-being, and we should encourage them to go out more instead of spending all their free time watching Indian TV.  I know that they wouldn’t be happy if we were on the other side doing the same thing. 

How often are we distracted?  And how easily?  Our paths to enlightenment would be easier illuminated on a road without vines and crazy curves and dark corners.

The truth is we all have a lot on our plates.  Many of us have strong goals, including career achievement.  This might be fueled by money, status, or simply a craving to learn.  But often we hit roadblocks.  Those of us who can torch the brush and keep the path clear will have a most satisfying ending.