Youth can find solution to mental health issues in traditional family system: K'taka Minister

After his statements drew flak from woman activists and progressive organisations, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Monday issued a clarification for his statement that "a lot of modern women in India want to stay single; even if they get married, they don't want to give birth; they want surrogacy". He stated that the statement did not intend to infringe or thrust anything upon women or single them out. Instead, his observations were based on research findings, he claimed. Sudhakar made the controversial statement while addressing a World Mental Health Day event at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS).

"Through my address at NIMHANS, I had intended to send across a message on how our Indian family value system can address the mental health issues which we are facing today," he said.

"It is unfortunate that a small part of my address was taken out of context, thus missing out on the larger point I was trying to make," he said.

"First of all, I would like to convey that I am the proud father of a daughter and I am also a medical doctor. So I fully understand the sensitivities around women and also the mental health issues that are concerning us," he said.

The minister further claimed that various research and studies testify that in situations where mental health resources are scarce, families form a valuable support system and could help manage various stressful situations.

"My statement about younger generation shying away from marriage and reproduction is also based on a survey. The findings of the YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial survey shows that among millennials, 19 per cent aren't interested in either children or marriage. Another 8 per cent want children but are not interested in marriage. Among post-millennials (or Gen Z adults), 23 per cent aren't interested in either children or marriage. As in the case of millennials, 8 per cent want children but are not interested in marriage. There are very little gender-wise differences in these trends. It is applicable to both boys and girls," he said.

"The only point I was trying to convey was that our youth can find solution and solace to mental health issues like anxiety, depression and stress in our traditional family system and its values, which offer a wonderful support system. I would like to clarify that I had no intention to single out women," he concluded.