The Burden of Responsibility: The Silent Struggle in most of the Asian Families
In the natural world, every animal fends for itself. Birds find their own food, predators hunt, and even the tiniest ants work tirelessly to sustain their colonies.
But humans?
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| Live a life as a respected human being |
We are the only species that depends so heavily on each other for survival. While interdependence is a hallmark of human civilization, it has also given rise to deep-rooted inequalities—especially within families.
The Weight of One Person’s Shoulders
In many Asian families, financial responsibility often falls on a single individual. This person—be it the eldest son, a father, a mother or even a daughter in some cases—becomes the pillar of the household. They work tirelessly, sacrificing their dreams and personal happiness, only to see their hard-earned money distributed among family members who may not contribute equally.
Instead of gratitude, they often face neglect and even resentment. Their emotional needs are sidelined, their exhaustion ignored. While they ensure the survival of the family, they themselves struggle with inner emptiness, stress, and a lack of personal fulfillment. This silent suffering creates a rift—one that erodes family bonds over time.
Dependency Breeds Greed
A person without financial security often lives with an unconscious fear of the future. This fear, when left unchecked, can turn into greed. When some family members rely on the earnings of one individual without contributing, their sense of entitlement grows. Instead of appreciating the provider’s effort, they begin to expect more.
In the worst cases, this greed leads to manipulation, jealousy, and toxic family dynamics. The one who earns feels used, and those who depend on them often become complacent. The balance of mutual support that a family should have turns into an unspoken battle between sacrifice and entitlement.
The Cycle of Unhappiness
This one-sided dependency creates a vicious cycle. The breadwinner, tired of being taken for granted, starts resenting their family. The dependents, sensing the frustration, feel insecure and demand more. Arguments, emotional blackmail, and silent suffering become the norm. Love and warmth fade, replaced by tension and unspoken grudges.
This pattern is especially common in traditional Asian households, where cultural norms dictate that the eldest must take care of the family, often at the cost of their own happiness. They are expected to provide without complaint, while others enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Breaking Free: A Call for Balance
A truly happy family is built on shared responsibility. While it’s natural for some members to contribute more than others at different points in life, there must be a sense of mutual effort. Financial responsibility should be distributed, and emotional well-being should be prioritized just as much as material needs.
It’s time to redefine family roles—not as burdens, but as shared responsibilities. Only then can happiness thrive, and only then can we break free from this unspoken suffering.
We should learn from tiny ant how they survive by ownself.