09 Jun 2020

A counsellor, Mr Ndinaye Chengeta has described the recently ceased lockdown as a definer of relations between partners and families.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Chengeta said the lockdown was a period to find each other. He added that it increased demand on psycho-social services, especially family relations.

 He also noted that social life was disrupted by the pandemic and that some people had to perform duties that were not normal and cultural.

“A lot of people’s way of living was subjected to reality. The lockdown was a time for couples to get in touch with their inner-self and introspect as they were forced into an environment together,” he said.

Mr Chengeta is of the view that most people never got to understand the reason they went into relationships, and that neither do they have reasons to marry.

He said because of work and a hectic lifestyle, most married couples had not been sharing the same space and as a result knew little of one another.

Mr Chengeta also said because of the lockdown, couples questioned their compatibility, and that most families were surprised that they did not know each another well and lived different lives.

He further said during the period, the atmosphere within relationships was questionable, adding that couples were confused on how they should raise their children or how to behave as couples.

“Some children are solely the responsibility of aunties and because of the lockdown, parents were forced to spend time with their children for the entire day,” he added.

He said most parents did not know what to do and were desparate for schools to re-open so that children could spend more time outside the home. He added that most parents found it difficult to spend time with their children.

Mr Chengeta also said not knowing how to spend time with children revealed the extent to which families were unfamiliar with one another.

He said couples misunderstood each other, further saying boyfriend and girlfriend relationships were not spared as they were challenged the most.

He noted that couples were stepping on each others space as they learned the truth about one another. He added that the lockdown was an eye-opener and a definer in relationships.

Mr Chengeta said families and couples did not communicate well, adding that children did not talk to parents. He also said couples spent more time on social media than communicating with eaach another.

Mr Chengeta added that since the lockdown, there had been a dramatic increase in couples needing counselling, saying  most people had experienced anxiety, trauma and depression. Ends