THE bad effect of the family system breakup can be seen in most parts of Pakistan. The increase in the number of old-age homes is a concern for all. People are sending their parents to live in old-age homes because they think their parents are a burden and because they don't have time for them.

They are unable to accommodate their parents who took care of them, nurtured them, sacrificed most of their time and happiness and spent their hard-earned money on their children which they could have used after retirement.

Recently I visited an old-age home and was shocked to see how helpless and desperate the elderly people living there are to meet their children, grandchildren and other family members. The pain and sorrow in their eyes was hidden from no one. They were waiting and hoping to see their children walk through the door and take them home.

It is the duty of the children to take care of their parents.

It is shame to see children leaving their aging parents when they need them the most. Living abroad and earning to support a family is understandable in some cases.

However, there is no excuse for living in the same city and sending your parents to homes where they don't deserve to spend the remaining days of their life.

The people who can't take care of their parents should keep in mind that they also have children. What goes around comes around too.

MALIK M. VELLANI
Karachi