The family is the most important unit of society. A stable family environment is absolutely essential for the nurture of children. It is here that an individual imbibes values and learns life skills. From time immemorial Indian society has promoted the joint family which provides an ideal environment for bringing up children. The presence of a large, stable extended family helps children pick up social skills and learn the art of harmonious and altruistic corporate living.
In recent times the joint family has given way to the nuclear family. What once was the joint responsibility of many individuals now rests solely on the husband-wife pair. Added to this the extended family which functioned as a buffer to and arbiter of conflicts is no longer available. Together with today’s fast and furious life style, change in values and man’s greed and self-centredness, we appear to be sitting on a powder keg.
This state of affairs is not confined to a particular section of society. It has become universal, affecting all and sundry, irrespective of financial status, race, community, country and religion. Dysfunctional families imply a dysfunctional society. And a breakdown of families leads to the breakdown of society itself. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that the well-being, sanctity and stability of the family are assured and warring and malfunctioning families are helped to keep the peace and stay together harmoniously.
Having recognized the enormity of the problem and the need for urgent action, GPMS set up a Family Counseling Centre. GPMS has got well trained counselors and social workers toprovide holistic solutions to the problems ranging from harassment by husband and in-laws and other problems faced by women in a family to problems encountered by teenagers and students. All necessary counseling is given to the vulnerable and distressed women, women deserted by husbands, women compulsorily married against the wish, widows, adolescent girls who fell in love with boys and deserted, do attend this counseling centre. The Centre has so far dealt with more than 300 cases and solved 160 cases, referred 130 cases to police and courts. The remaining are pending for disposal.