Acharya Prashant addresses a question from a single mother who is struggling to balance her work and her child's upbringing. He begins by stating that a child does not appear suddenly; there is a nine-month period for planning, and one cannot claim helplessness after the child's arrival. He points out that if a partner coerces someone into pregnancy with the threat of ending the relationship, that relationship should be terminated immediately, as it is a form of extortion, not a real marriage. He dismisses the notion that a child being fatherless is a problem, calling it a mere social ideal. He emphasizes that a child primarily needs love and knowledge, which many fathers are incapable of providing anyway. Regarding the child's safety and environment, Acharya Prashant challenges the belief that home is safer than a school or daycare. He notes that statistics indicate most crimes against children and women occur within the home, often perpetrated by relatives. In contrast, institutions like schools have greater accountability. He argues that the ignorance ('avidya') in schools is far less than the 'gross ignorance' found in homes, making schools a comparatively better environment for a child's development. He recalls his time at IIT, where day-scholars who lived at home were considered unfortunate compared to hostellers because their development was hindered by having to return home daily. Finally, the speaker addresses the questioner's feeling of friction and pain from doing everything alone. He attributes this feeling to a comparison with dependent housewives. He dismisses the need for holidays, mentioning he hasn't taken one in 25 years. He identifies the desire for someone to listen to one's pain or a shoulder to cry on as the very reason people remain trapped. He concludes that there is no solid reason for her to live a life of bondage; it is her choice, based on trivial emotional needs, to remain stuck, and practical solutions for daily chores are readily available.
