Times have changed so much. Things were different when we were young.” Sounds so familiar. Every elderly person, who has not been able to adjust well to modern times and changing values, blurts out the sentiment. “The reasons why you young girls want a divorce are so flimsy. We have a communication problem here. He does not give me enough time and attention, he didn't get me flowers on our wedding anniversary! At this rate, women like me should have demanded a divorce at least four times a day!” Eighty-year-old granny's words set me thinking about the women of today -- educated, independent in every way and assertive.

Has our generation gone too far in asserting our rights and views to the point that our relationships are suffering. I thought of a recent episode of "How I met your Mother" and the seasons of "Friends," popular US sitcoms that have invaded many Indian living rooms and found great favour, like most US things, with the English-speaking, pub-hopping, mall-frequenting city youth.

The granny continued, “If the man of the house dies, the woman gets her act together and has it in her to bring up her children and educate them, even if she is poor. A man cannot do this. If the wife dies, the house is scattered forever.” Words of truth. We can find case studies around every corner.

More pearls from granny, “I think the women of your generation are avenging the hardships we went through. We were married off early, had so many children -- as family planning was unheard of -- delivered our babies at home and just worked hard all our life. Can you girls live such a life?” I remembered non-stop cringing at all household chores, spending free time with a book or the TV. The house, however, was always clean and neat, food tasty and hot, clothes washed and pressed -- all done silently and uncomplainingly to nurture me by my mother while I took the credit for my successes.

“For you, entertainment means going to multiplexes, malls, doing all sorts of garish things. We were so in tune with nature,” said the granny. Are we doing everything wrong, I wondered, growing more than a little tired. Then I remember overhearing school girls regaling their exploits of cute boys in vivid and graphic terms. Where has the innocence gone? Where is this generation heading with too much openness and attitude. And then I remembered the granny and felt... the time has stood still.