Write to the Consultant Editor, asking for guidance in dealing with your younger brother, who is a parasite on you.

Write to the Consultant Editor, asking for guidance in dealing with your younger brother, who is a parasite on you.

Liz Taylor

44, Lodhi Colony

New Delhi-11006

January 27, 2007

The Consultant Editor

Doorstep Solutions to Problems

Readers’ World

Mumbai-400029

Sub. : Request for a solution in dealing with my younger brother

Sir,

I’m in a fix on account of my younger brother, who is a virtual parasite on me, inspite of his having been professionally trained and in good health. He does not want to work even for his own livelihood and is a virtual parasite on me. Please guide how I should deal with him without showing myself to be rash, or selfish.

Complete history is as follows :

‘Our dear father expired long ago, leaving me alone to look after my mother and a younger brother, aged 25, who is a trained machine operator. Surprisingly, he hasn’t taken up any job since 2000. He is, undoubtedly, brilliant, but is reluctant to work.

Though he is actively involved in social activities like assisting his friends and their parents but he hardly lifts a finger at home. Once I persuaded him to take up a computer course and even succeeded in getting him a job. But he was soon fired, as he was neither punctual, nor sincere. Relatives advise me to stop supporting a total parasite so that he makes sincere efforts to be self-dependent. But neither my mother, nor I can afford either to offend, or lose him !

Sincerely yours,

Liz Taylor