As our cities rise with towering buildings and modern infrastructure, our sense of humanity seems to be declining. We celebrate academic excellence, prestigious degrees, and successful careers, yet often ignore the values that truly define a civilised society.
A recent incident in Dhaka, where an elderly mother was found dead alone in her apartment despite having highly educated and well-established children, exposed a painful reality. This was not merely a family tragedy; it reflected a deeper crisis of moral and social values. We are producing graduates in large numbers, but many are becoming career-driven individuals rather than compassionate human beings.
Today's education system prioritises grades, certificates, and professional success while neglecting empathy, gratitude and family responsibility. As a result, many elderly parents suffer from loneliness and neglect despite their children's financial success. The increasing prevalence of old-age homes and the growing isolation of senior citizens are alarming indicators of this moral decline.
Bangladesh has attempted to address this issue through the Parents Maintenance Act, 2013, which legally obliges children to care for their parents. Yet no law can force genuine love, respect, or emotional support. Moral responsibility cannot be sustained solely through legal sanctions.
If we wish to build a healthy society, education must go beyond academic achievement. Schools, universities, and families must nurture ethical values alongside intellectual development. Otherwise, we risk creating a generation that is highly educated but emotionally disconnected, a generation successful in career yet impoverished in humanity.
Simla Paul
Student
Department of Law
Gopalganj Science and Technology University