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How can cultural or generational habits unintentionally impact emotional bonding with children?

Parenting Perspective

Parents’ emotional responses are frequently influenced by cultural and generational norms, sometimes in ways that inadvertently cause alienation. Many families place so much emphasis on virtues like obedience, stillness, or stoicism that they fail to recognise the emotional needs of their children. These standards can occasionally overshadow the value of emotional connection, even though they are frequently founded on admirable ideals like respect or fortitude. A youngster may learn to repress their emotions rather than process them if they believe that they are undesirable or inconvenient. This may eventually impair their capacity to open up or trust their caregivers. It is critical for parents to consider which inherited habits facilitate and which impede bonding. Cultural values are not sacrificed in the name of emotional connectedness. This entails preserving those that are consistent with compassion and modifying those that restrict kids from feeling recognised.

Spiritual Insight

Islam honours both tradition and emotional insight. Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zumar (39), Verse 18: ‘Those people that listen attentively to a saying, and then follow what is the best (content) from it…’
It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 923, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘This is compassion, which Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants, and God shows compassion only to those of His servants who are compassionate.’ Being faithful is clinging to what is good and letting go of what is bad, whether it be spiritually or emotionally. Respecting what softens the heart is a sign of true faith. Maintaining emotional contact with your child as a parent is a continuance of prophetic mercy, not a break from tradition.

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