ABSTRACT
The detection of severe mental illness in any form on the part of offspring brings about a distinct pattern of reactions on the part of parents. It provides a severe blow to their self, in terms of both esteem and identity. There are feelings of ambivalence, guilt, grief, amidst other emotional states. Issues of parental identity come to the surface, which are accompanied by feelings of being marginalized and disenfranchised. Adopting an overprotective stance and thereby maintaining vigilance, grieving alone and grasping at straws are some common observations among such parents. Many appear to take drastic decisions of getting their adult children with mental illness married to ‘solve’ the problem, at least temporarily. Such decisions are propelled by the need of the parents to meet the social demands in accordance to expectations, to maintain their social status and prestige, and ‘execute their parental duties’ and responsibilities. However, this is sheer injustice on their part, bringing forth further problems for the unhealthy individuals and the family sub-system in general. It essentially highlights a pathological bent of mind-frame on the part of parents to ward off their personal crises and lifelong problems. The chapter pinpoints the injustice meted out to mentally unhealthy offspring by their ‘responsive’ parents, which needs dire attention of the society. The call of the day is thus to engage in increased psycho-education.
