KARACHI: Prominent television actors Sharmeen Ali, Sunita Marshall, and Saima Qureshi recently appeared on Nida Yasir’s morning show to discuss the critical importance of fostering independence in children, irrespective of their gender. The artists emphasized equipping children with essential daily life skills—ranging from household chores like making beds and washing dishes to practical abilities such as driving.
Addressing parenting challenges, Sunita Marshall noted that while safety concerns in urban centers like Karachi may limit outdoor freedom, independence can easily be cultivated indoors. “We can tell them how to make their beds, how to fry an egg. At least, we can make our kids independent enough that they are not at our heads every second,” she said, adding that time management through extracurricular activities also helps children become self-reliant.
Echoing these views, mother-of-three Saima Qureshi shared her strict household routine, noting that she encourages her sons to handle tasks like ironing, dusting, making tea, and washing dishes. Sunita added that household responsibilities in her home are shared on a rotational basis among all family members, including her husband, actor Hassan Ahmed.
Sharmeen Ali stressed the need to normalize responsibilities without gender bias, pointing out that working mothers cannot be available around the clock. Reflecting on her personal journey following her marital separation, Sharmeen revealed that learning how to drive transformed her confidence and mobility. Stating that dependence on others for basic transport limits personal freedom, she shared plans to teach driving to her 17-year-old daughter.
The discussion also touched upon the influence of digital platforms and AI-generated content on modern youth. While acknowledging potential concerns, the actors agreed that digital media has made children remarkably well-informed. Saima and Sunita shared instances where their children surprised them with advanced knowledge learned independently online, such as historical facts about World War II.
To balance technology use, Sharmeen advocated for setting clear boundaries, such as completing academic tasks before screen time. Meanwhile, Sunita and Saima underscored that while extracurricular activities and digital learning are valuable, maintaining academic priority, staying closely involved in children’s lives, and monitoring their social circles remain essential pillars of a strong upbringing.
