Heirs and birth rights....

This is a tough topic to speak of, for it is one that society has different views on.

Because of certain situations I am currently experiancing myself, it is one that I am qualified to speak of, as having become better informed, aware and thinking of it as well. Experiantial knowledge is always one that makes learning more vluable and lasting.

God often teaches through such a measure. All too often reading at school and mere studying leaves so much of a vacum when it comes to real knowledge.

There are cultural as in Indian as well as Indian christian and Syrian Christian influences and traditons and ways that determine many of these aspects as to heirs and succession or ownership as well as rights. Yet, we have to address them as they are, and yes, we can also to look at what may be better.

Birth as a son, is considered a blessing, and a son is greeted with much happiness, when a baby is born. This is not to say girls are not to be treated equally well or that they do not at times get that big a welcome. Going scripturaly as well as culturaly, there are certain rights and privilages bestowed on the son's and particularly the eldest son, the first born.

In our culture this is even more pronounced and practiced, and I think it is a good thing, provided we all do our best o help and assist our sisters in all their needs and circumstances. Most Asian and Souther hemispheric cultures, do have this custom of a - sonship, patriarchical nature.

As girls get married and leave the parental family, they are given their wealth as is done in the situation of "dowry" practiced in its proper manner, amidst our families, though it is not referred today as dowry, rather as their share of wealth given at the time of marriage. They may be given an additional gift subsequently.

However, the birth right of a son cannot be taken away. It is a right given by birth.

I am all for girls to have their birth rights too. How ever, it is customary for males in the family to be the one's to succeed and to take after the parents lineage - not for married daughters to come back and take control or push brothers aside. I say this, as in the western influenced world integrity, values, traditions and ethics are falling by the wayside.

In my opinion Theempalanagad family ought to develop a guideline on these matters and have a fund that assists in addressing issues such as this when it does crop up in our family, amidst anyone. It is not a pleasant or happy subject to discuss, yet it happens to be one that needs to be aired in the open. I call for a group of elders in the family, that take time to think through these issues, for as we go further forward our unity will be strained, and if we do not look ahead we may regret it many ways, as the tide of greed and wealth and family politics will throw ethics and principles to the side, causing ir-repairable damage.