There are number of reasons. The most important among them is that there is a shift from the old order to the new one. The old order was largely based on social norms and its purpose was to preserve a kind of social structure and stability. But it came with a heavy price, at the expense of the free expansion of the soul along its unique evolutionary journey. The Age we are living in is the not the Age of the Preserver but of the Creator. Hence the old values have been broken down and the new ones are yet to be discovered. There is a resetting of the old order. The new values have to be discovered intuitively rather than determined by reason that tends to standardise everything into a fixed slot of binaries. This means the beginning of a subjective age wherein the individual will have to discover his own true and deeper law, his unique truth, his true individuality leading eventually to the discovery of his individual soul and live by it. All the rest such as freedom of women, freedom of choices, lot of new possibilities and opportunities due to technology and travel are mainly external means that Nature is using to carry evolution fast forward. In fact the impatience, the hyperactivity and restlessness itself is an indicator and sign that Nature is preparing for a leap. It is disconcerting to those glued to the past but full of promise for those whose gaze is turned towards the future. In the end it will lead to a deep, true relationship based on the essence of love and friendship rather than marriage. The concept of strictly one man – one woman forever (essentially a Christian conception of marraige) will be modified into a freer play of truth and universal love, things that are difficult to conceive for now but these are going to become the norm as mankind ascends from the rational to the intuitive curve.
As to the previous generation, yes, there was greater patience, tolerance and acceptance but then was there really another option? A prisoner or even a man stricken with poverty has no choice but to adjust to his little dungeon cell or a small room with poor amenities. But that does not make the person a sadhu or a sannyasi for which one has to choose a modest and simple way of life voluntarily. It is the Age when we are being compelled to make conscious choices and be either upbyoued or fall back navigating the strong evolutionary current.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
