JOURNEY OF LIFE
Elderly life
A chance for intergenerational education
Learn what the Sikh Dharam teaches about elderly life
Education across generations
Whilst parents and teachers are usually seen as a child’s main educators, in the long story of human evolution, grandparents have played a very significant, and perhaps forgotten, role.
Studies suggest that for children to exercise their impressive early learning abilities, elders have historically provided an important source of care and stimulating interaction, amongst a wider set of carers. Creating an atmosphere of curiosity and patience, they have passed accumulated wisdom and skills down through generations.
Although times have changed, it is widely acknowledged that having a close, long-term relationship with an older adult brings enormous benefits to children, including higher self-esteem and confidence. It also increases the quality of life for both old and young.
Importance of grandparents
In Sikh history, grandmothers and grandfathers have been extremely important figures, fondly remembered for imparting great knowledge, wisdom and care, as well as hope, faith and resilience.
As a young child, Baba Buddha Ji had met Guru Nanak and revealed his fear of mortality and concern not to waste the few years he thought he had. The Guru blessed him and he lived for over a century, serving under six consecutive Gurus. For his accumulated skills and wisdom, he was chosen to tutor young disciples, including future Gurus.
Mata Gujri Ji was wife to the ninth Guru and mother to the tenth Guru. As a grandmother, she is remembered for cultivating steadfastness, courage and self-esteem in her grandchildren in the face of tyranny.
In Sikh life, any elder is addressed as a mother or father figure in the child’s life. Traditionally, the extended family home would provide opportunities for interaction and knowledge sharing. Grandparents would support the parents, and provide intergenerational role modelling behaviours. In family life, negative behaviours and narrow visions can easily take root, influenced also by social and cultural factors that shape mindsets and mentalities. Sikh teachings provide a continuity of wisdom that can be accessed across the generations.
For Sikhs, it is by learning to respect one’s parents that we learn to respect our Divine parent and Creator. Whatever their shortfalls and however difficult, we must still honour them respectfully, seeing how to move past antagonisms to peace-build with loved ones in our lives.
Community elders
In many of the world’s Indigenous traditions, elders are respected individuals who play key roles in the community. They are important knowledge keepers, and they also help to ensure cultural continuity. As living connections to the past, elders serve as teachers, healers, advisors and counsellors. Spirituality and tradition shape their lives as well as the guidance they provide to others.
