By:Harshitha Kumayaa
CHENNAI: When Rithika R came to Chennai for a vacation, little did she think she would be stuck within the four walls of her house with her in-laws for months on end. “From being a decision-maker at work to being stuck in a household where my opinions are not considered important, I feel frustrated. I can’t even express my anger as there is no privacy,” says the 32-year-old.
The extended lockdown has taken a toll on personal relationships. Many initially welcomed WFH schedules that allowed them to spend more time with their loved ones, but as weeks turned into months, the lack of personal space, pressure of domestic chores and office work is leading to frayed nerves and tempers.
“Earlier I used to get only a couple of calls from people who wanted to sort out relationship issues. Now I get two or three calls every day from people who are feeling depressed, and isolated during lockdown and who are battling personal issues ...,” says Khushali Manikandan, clinical psychologist at Sixth Sense Mind Clinic, Chennai.
Sunita Menon, a Nungambakkam-based psychologist, says the lockdown has definitely resulted in imposition of moral familial rules. “Coping with such loss of independence has to be dealt with patience.”
Children are among the most affected. “I have virtual classes for a couple of hours every day. Though I want to play video games and relax, my parents force me to sit with my books until it is bedtime,” says Anirudh*, a Class XII student. “And I also don’t want to listen to them bickering all day. Life was much easier when both of them went to work.”
For the elderly, it has been an exhaustive period. Rugmini Ravi, who lives with her husband and six other family members in Mambalam, says, that from feeding a large family to doing all the household chores, everything falls on her shoulders. “Though my sister-in-law occasionally lends a helping hand, it is very tiring,” says the 62-year-old.
For people in abusive marriages, it’s a scary time. “My husband has anger issues and tends to get verbally and physically violent. Before lockdown, he was out of the house for long hours on work. Now, with him around all the time, my kids and I are treading on eggshells,” says Anita*, 48, a homemaker in Mogappair.
Carving out time for yourself, giving each other personal space and sharing household chores can help, say experts. “Setting a schedule for every household chore, and proper division of labour can reduce the frustration building in the household. This will give every person enough time to focus on themselves,” says clinical psychologist Kamala Bhaskar.
(*Names changed)
CHENNAI: When Rithika R came to Chennai for a vacation, little did she think she would be stuck within the four walls of her house with her in-laws for months on end. “From being a decision-maker at work to being stuck in a household where my opinions are not considered important, I feel frustrated. I can’t even express my anger as there is no privacy,” says the 32-year-old.
The extended lockdown has taken a toll on personal relationships. Many initially welcomed WFH schedules that allowed them to spend more time with their loved ones, but as weeks turned into months, the lack of personal space, pressure of domestic chores and office work is leading to frayed nerves and tempers.
“Earlier I used to get only a couple of calls from people who wanted to sort out relationship issues. Now I get two or three calls every day from people who are feeling depressed, and isolated during lockdown and who are battling personal issues ...,” says Khushali Manikandan, clinical psychologist at Sixth Sense Mind Clinic, Chennai.
Sunita Menon, a Nungambakkam-based psychologist, says the lockdown has definitely resulted in imposition of moral familial rules. “Coping with such loss of independence has to be dealt with patience.”
Children are among the most affected. “I have virtual classes for a couple of hours every day. Though I want to play video games and relax, my parents force me to sit with my books until it is bedtime,” says Anirudh*, a Class XII student. “And I also don’t want to listen to them bickering all day. Life was much easier when both of them went to work.”
For the elderly, it has been an exhaustive period. Rugmini Ravi, who lives with her husband and six other family members in Mambalam, says, that from feeding a large family to doing all the household chores, everything falls on her shoulders. “Though my sister-in-law occasionally lends a helping hand, it is very tiring,” says the 62-year-old.
For people in abusive marriages, it’s a scary time. “My husband has anger issues and tends to get verbally and physically violent. Before lockdown, he was out of the house for long hours on work. Now, with him around all the time, my kids and I are treading on eggshells,” says Anita*, 48, a homemaker in Mogappair.
Carving out time for yourself, giving each other personal space and sharing household chores can help, say experts. “Setting a schedule for every household chore, and proper division of labour can reduce the frustration building in the household. This will give every person enough time to focus on themselves,” says clinical psychologist Kamala Bhaskar.
(*Names changed)
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